Turkey accused the Syrian army of attacking an observation post in Idlib province, killing five soldiers and claiming a response.

The incident occurred today at a Turkish observation post in the town of Taftanaz in Idlib province, northwestern Syria, when Damascus launched a campaign to attack the last rebel-controlled territories. Ankara said five soldiers were killed in the attack.

"The targets in the area were immediately attacked, necessary countermeasures were taken. The soldiers did not shed blood in vain," the Turkish Defense Ministry said in a statement. .

It is the second most serious clash between the two countries in a week since the February 4 artillery fire, which killed eight Turkish soldiers and 13 Syrian soldiers.

The Syrian army has opened two attacks on Idlib since January 27. The campaign aimed at rebel groups, largely backed by Ankara, was launched after a truce agreed by Russia and Turkey on January 12 was broken in just two days.

Idlib province is currently the only region controlled by rebel groups in Syria, which has 12 Turkish military observation posts. Damascus began a rebel offensive in Idlib in December 2019, freeing 46 settlements located in an area of 320 km2 in the south and east of the province.

Turkey has deployed a large reinforcements of about 5,000 soldiers and many tanks, armor and radar to Idlib. Many of Ankara's observation posts are surrounded by Syrian government forces.

Location Idlib province in northwest Syria. Graphics: NPR.