Turkey vexed with Russia after Syria strikes convoy

Following Syrian airstrikes on a Turkish convoy, Russia appears to be keeping calm and staying the course, but developments on the ground are spinning quickly.
A convoy of Turkish military vehicles is pictured near the town of Maar Hitat in northern Syria's Idlib province on August 19, 2019. - A Turkish military convoy crossed into northwest Syria today, heading towards a key town where regime forces are waging fierce battles with jihadists and rebels. (Photo by Omar HAJ KADOUR / AFP) (Photo credit should read OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP/Getty Images)
A convoy of Turkish military vehicles is seen near the town of Maar Hitat in northern Syria's Idlib province, Aug. 19, 2019. - OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP/Getty Images
max_suchkov_color.jpg
Maxim A. Suchkov
@@MSuchkov_ALM
Read in 

MOSCOW — Syrian air force strikes on a Turkish military convoy in Idlib province Aug. 19 are straining relations between Russia and Turkey.

An Aug. 19 press release on the situation from the Turkish Defense Ministry doesn’t mention Syria once, but refers to the Russian Federation four times — making it clear Ankara sees the deadly incident as a face-off with Moscow. 

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.

Videos

See more