Turkey launches Operation Spring Shield against Syrian forces
Turkey has downed two Syrian jets in launching Operation Spring Shield while also sending refugees to the Greek border.
Ankara said March 1 that it had launched Operation Spring Shield against the Syrian Arab Army on a day that saw Turkey down two Russian-made Syrian air force jets and Russian President Vladimir Putin agree to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on March 5 over the unfolding Idlib crisis.
Turkey said it had destroyed several air defense systems, more than 100 tanks and killed 2,212 members of the Syrian forces, including three top generals in drone strikes since Feb 27.
At least one Turkish drone was shot down by Syrian forces today; Syria claimed that it shot down three. In the downing of the Syrian jets, the pilots were reported to have parachuted to safety.
The dramatic escalation pitting NATO member Turkey against the far weaker Syrian Arab army followed Feb. 27 airstrikes that killed at least 36 Turkish soldiers in Idlib, sending shock waves throughout Turkey.
