Operation Spring Shield Explained

Conflict:Operation Spring Shield
Partof:the 2019–2020 northwestern Syria offensive and Turkish military operations in Idlib as part of Turkish involvement in the Syrian civil war
Date:27 February – 6 March 2020
Place:Northwestern Syria
Result:Ceasefire[1]
Territory:
Combatant1: Turkey
Combatant2: Syria

Hezbollah[7]
Supported by:
[8]
Strength1:8,350[9] –20,000[10]
Strength2:Unknown
Commander1:
Commander2:
Units1: Turkish Armed Forces
Units2: Syrian Armed Forces
Casualties1:Per Turkey:[16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21]
40 killed
81 wounded
(including Balyun airstrikes)----Materiel:

destroyed or lost

Casualties2:Per Turkey:[24] [25] [26]

Per SOHR:[28]
170 soldiers and 27 militiamen killed (between 15th of January and the 5th of March 2020)
Per Middle East Institute:[29]
405 government soldiers and militias killed (between 28th of February and the 6th of March 2020)
Including:
9–14 killed, 30 wounded [30] [31] [32] [33]
21 killed[34] ----Materiel (per independent sources):

Notes:a Includes losses since 10 February 2020.[39]

Operation Spring Shield (tr|Bahar Kalkanı Harekâtı) was a cross-border military operation carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in the Idlib Governorate of northwestern Syria against the Syrian Armed Forces and allied militias. The operation was launched on 27 February 2020 in direct response to the Balyun airstrikes, aiming to address the escalating situation in the region.[40] [41]

According to Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, the primary objective of Operation Spring Shield was to achieve a ceasefire agreement within the framework of the Astana talks and to establish stability in the Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone. Additionally, the operation sought to prevent the mass migration of people from Idlib to the Turkish border, a pressing humanitarian concern.[42]

On 5 March, Turkey and Russia signed a ceasefire agreement in Moscow, marking a step towards de-escalation in the region.[2]

Background

On 27 February 2020, during the Dawn of Idlib 2 Operation, Turkish Army positions in Balyun, Idlib Governorate, came under attack from airstrikes allegedly conducted by the Syrian Air Force, and allegedly the Russian Air Force. Resulting in the deaths of 33 Turkish soldiers,[43] with a reported number of wounded ranging from 36 to 60.[44] [45]

The following day, Russia denied it had carried out the airstrikes and stated that it had made efforts to halt the Syrian military's firing to facilitate the safe evacuation of the Turkish troops. Russia said that the Turkish forces should not have been present in the area, where "counter-terror operations" were underway, and criticized Turkey for failing to notify them about the soldiers' presence in advance. On the contrary, Turkey maintained that Russia was well aware of the locations of Turkish troops, as the two countries regularly communicated about this matter.[46]

Operation timeline

27–28 February

Following the air attack in Balyun, Turkey officially launched its military intervention, initiating Operation Spring Shield. The primary objective of this operation was to put a stop to the Syrian government forces' advancement on Syrian rebels in Idlib and push them back to their pre-offensive positions.[47]

On 28 February, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense reported that the Turkish armed forces had responded to the airstrikes and claimed to have "neutralized" 329 Syrian troops. Additionally, they claimed to have successfully destroyed five helicopters, 23 tanks, 10 armored vehicles, 23 artillery and howitzers, one SA-17, and one SA-22 air defense systems belonging to the Syrian government.[48] [49]

A Syrian military official acknowledged that their armored and technical vehicles had been heavily targeted, resulting in significant destruction of their arsenal in northwestern Syria.[50]

A Turkish soldier, 11 Syrian soldiers and four members of the Lebanese Hezbollah were killed during the day.[51] [52]

29 February

On 29 February, Turkish airstrikes targeted the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center in As-Safira, which a Turkish official claimed was used to develop chemical weapons.[53] [54]

During the day, 48 Syrian government soldiers and militias, including 14 Hezbollah fighters were killed and at least 13 military vehicles were destroyed by Turkish strikes.[55]

1 March

On 1 March, two Syrian Su-24 jets were shot down by Turkish Air Force F-16s.[56] All four Syrian pilots safely ejected. Both Syrian and Turkish forces confirmed the downing.[57] Meanwhile a Turkish TAI Anka drone was shot down by Syrian forces.[58] Additionally, Turkish drones bombed the 47th brigade in Hama Military Airport.[59]

During the day, 19 Syrian soldiers were killed by Turkish drones attacks in Jabal al-Zawiya and Al-Hamidia, Idlib countryside.[60]

2 March

On 2 March, a Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drone was shot down by Syrian Air Defense Force near Saraqib.[61] During the day, a Turkish soldier and 26 Syrian government soldiers were killed in the clashes in Jabal Al-Zawiyah, south Idlib countryside, Saraqib and its countryside.[62] [63]

3 March

On 3 March, the Syrian Army captured the strategic city of Saraqib and several surrounding villages after pushing back rebel forces supported by Turkish artillery and air power.[64] [65] The Turkish airstrikes on government targets reduced significantly amidst a further government advance toward the town of Afis.[66] [67] Concurrently, a Syrian Air Force Aero L-39 Albatros was shot downed by a Turkish F-16 over Idlib, with conflicting reports over the pilots fate.[68] [69] Meanwhile, a Turkish Bayraktar drone was shot down by the Syrian Army in the western Aleppo countryside.[70] [71]

During the day, the Syrian Observatory claimed that five Turkish soldiers were killed by Syrian bombardment in Taftanaz Airbase, Al-Tarnaba and Al-Mastouma camp. The Turkish Ministry of Defense did not confirm this attack or the deaths of five soldiers.[72] [73]

4 March 2020

On 4 March, Turkish sources claimed that Suheil al-Hassan was wounded by a drone strike near Saraqib.[74] A Turkish Bayraktar TB2 was shot down by Syrian forces in the Idlib Governorate.[75] [76]

During the day, 19 Syrian soldiers and seven non-Syrian fighters were killed by Turkish ground shelling and drones in Idlib countryside.[77]

Ceasefire

On 5 March 2020, the presidents of Turkey and Russia, Erdoğan and Putin, met in Moscow for high-level talks.[78] According to the statements made by the Turkish and Russian leaders following their one-on-one meeting, a ceasefire in the area of Idlib was to come into force from 00:00 hrs on 6 March. The terms of the ceasefire included a secure corridor 6 kilometers either side of the M4 highway, to be patrolled jointly by Russia and Turkey beginning on 15 March.[79]

Syrian Government losses

On February 29, Reuters reported that nine Hezbollah militants were killed and 30 wounded in an attack by the Turkish Air Force. It was announced that 4 tanks, 5 artillery pieces/MLRS, 3 anti-tank vehicles were destroyed and 184 Syrian soldiers were killed between March 4–5 in Operation Spring Shield. According to Turkey's claims, 3,322 Syrian soldiers were neutralized between February 27 and March 5.

Middle East Institute think tank found that 405 Syrian government soldiers including 30 senior officers were killed in the week between February 27 and March 6. The institute's report also noted that the Syrian army lost 73 tanks and armored vehicles, as well as a large number of anti-aircraft guns and artillery pieces. It was determined that the death toll suffered by the regime on the same front between March 1 and May 31 was more than 600. The report did not mention the number of wounded.[29] New Lines Institute reported that it received information from sources close to the American government, and that as a result of the Turkish Armed Forces' attack, the Syrian Army lost 3 warplanes, 3 UAVs, 8 helicopters, 135 tanks, 86 artillery and MLRS, 77 armored vehicles, 9 ammunition depots, 5 air defense systems, and 16 anti-tank and mortar positions. It was also stated that an average of 60 regime soldiers were thought to have been killed per day between February 27 and March 5.

The OSINT Oryx Blog, in its research, found 37 tanks of the T-55, T-62 and T-72 models, 9 BMP-1 armored combat vehicles, 16 2S1 Gvozdika howitzers, 1 122 mm howitzer 2A18 (D-30) gun, 3 M-46 guns, 1 152 mm howitzer M1943 (D-1) gun, 6 2S3 Akatsiya howitzers, 8 BM-21 Grad MLRS, 1 122mm HM-20 MLRS, 2 x 122mm MRL MLRS, 2 160mm M160 mortars, 1 240mm M240 mortar, 4 ZSU-23-4 armored anti-aircraft vehicles, 2 ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns, 1 S-75 Dvina surface-to-air anti-aircraft missile system, 2 Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air anti-aircraft and artillery systems, 1 SNR-125 air defense radar, 2 Sukhoi Su-24 fighter jets, 1 Aero L-39 Albatros fighter jet and 21 different types of trucks were destroyed in the TSK attack.

Institute for the Study of War, Rand Corporation and many think tanks, primarily, stated that the operation carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces revolutionized modern warfare tactics and changed the balance of power in Syria.[80] [81] The precision attacks carried out by the TSK with Koral electronic warfare systems and TB-2- and ANKA-type armed UAV systems neutralized the air defense systems of the Assad Regime forces.[82] [83] The Turkish operation stopped the Syrian government desires to reclaim all Idlib.[84] As a result of the TAF's counterattack, the regime forces' offensive capacity was eliminated.[85]

Aftermath

Since the signing of the ceasefire in March 2020, the Syrian Air Force has not conducted any airstrikes within the de-escalation zone, and this status remains unchanged as of April 2023.[86]

Fukuyama stated that Turkey has made a revolution in the military use of drones and caused a change in modern military tactics.[87]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ceasefire in Syria's Idlib comes at a cost for Turkey's Erdogan. Gumrukcu. Tuvan . 2020-03-06. Reuters.
  2. News: Syria war: Russia and Turkey agree Idlib ceasefire . 23 July 2023 . BBC News . 5 March 2020.
  3. News: Opposition factions capture more areas in south Idlib as regime forces advance into Saraqeb . 15 March 2021 . SOHR . 2 March 2020.
  4. News: Liveuamap, (New Zaytoun, Az Ziyarah, Tell Wasit, Khirbat al-Naqus, Tall Rasm al Kabir, Tall Zajrim, Al Qahirah, Al Zuqum, Qulaydin, Al Ankawi, Al Haluba, Qaqafinah, Kafr Uwayd, Sfuhun, Fulayfil, Al Fatirah) . Liveuamap.
  5. News: Backed by Russian airpower, regime forces recapture Saraqib city only four days after Turkish forces and proxy factions captured it . 15 March 2021 . SOHR . 2 March 2020.
  6. News: Liveuamap (Kafr Battihk, Dadikh, Turunbah, Jubas, Saraqib) . Liveuamap.
  7. https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/israel-learned-from-hezbollahs-defeat-at-the-hands-of-turkey-628836 Israel learned from Hezbollah's defeat at the hands of Turkey
  8. News: Bohl . Ryan . Tack . Sim . Essential Geopolitics: Turkey and Russia Face a Risky Situation in Syria . 23 July 2023 . . 5 March 2020 . Podcast . We've seen a Turkish supported counteroffensive on the ground in Idlib, which has partially failed.
  9. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=156468 150 Turkish military vehicles enter Syria as calm prevails the “de-escalation” zone
  10. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-turkey-ceasefire/ceasefire-in-syrias-idlib-comes-at-a-cost-for-turkeys-erdogan-idUSKBN20T2DJ Ceasefire in Syria's Idlib comes at a cost for Turkey's Erdogan
  11. Web site: Bahar Kalkanı Harekatı'nı yöneten komutan Sinan Yayla kimdir nerelidir?. tr. 2020-03-02. Yeni Akit.
  12. News: Syrian regime commander reportedly killed in Turkish drone strike in Aleppo. Rudaw. 28 February 2020. 29 February 2020.
  13. News: Turkish combat drones kill 3 Assad regime generals in Idlib. Daily Sabah. 1 March 2020. 1 March 2020.
  14. News: Son dakika haberi: SİHA korkusu sardı! Rejimin elindeki asker sayısı azalınca, böyle getirildiler... . 20 June 2020 . Sabah . 5 March 2020.
  15. News: Cumhurbaşkanlığı İletişim Başkanlığı açıkladı: Güncel haritalar ve grafikler ile Suriye'de yaşanan son gelişmeler . 20 June 2020 . Takvim . 6 March 2020.
  16. Web site: Erdoğan: İdlib'de 59 şehit verdik. sozcu.com.tr. 8 March 2020 .
  17. https://web.archive.org/web/20200228214022/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-syria-security-turkey-shelling/one-turkish-soldier-killed-two-wounded-in-syrias-idlib-ministry-idUKKCN20M354 One Turkish soldier killed, two wounded in Syria's Idlib - ministry
  18. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-turkey-shelling/turkey-says-one-soldier-killed-in-syrian-government-shelling-in-idlib-idUSKBN20P344 Turkey says one soldier killed in Syrian government shelling in Idlib
  19. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-turkey-military/one-turkish-soldier-killed-and-nine-wounded-in-syrias-idlib-ministry-idUSKBN20Q2R4 One Turkish soldier killed and nine wounded in Syria's Idlib: ministry
  20. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-turkey-toll/two-turkish-soldiers-killed-six-wounded-in-syrias-idlib-ministry-idUSKBN20R0YU Two Turkish soldiers killed, six wounded in Syria's Idlib - ministry
  21. https://web.archive.org/web/20200306023137/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-syria-security-turkey-military/turkish-defence-ministry-says-two-soldiers-died-in-syrias-idlib-idUKKBN20S2LI Turkish defence ministry says two soldiers died in Syria's Idlib
  22. 1 Bayraktar TB2 (March 2020) https://defence-point.com/2020/03/19/wreckage-of-turkish-combat-drone-uncovered-in-southeast-idlib-pics/ https://t.me/anna_news/4437
    1 TAI Anka-S (1 March)https://theaviationist.com/2020/03/01/two-syrian-su-24-fencer-jets-and-a-turkish-drone-shot-down-over-idlib-region-syria/https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/assad-regime-aircraft-downed-in-nw-idlib/news
    1 Bayraktar Tactical UAS (3 March)https://fighterjetsworld.com/latest-news/aircraft-crash/two-turkish-air-force-drone-reportedly-shot-down-by-syrian-air-defense-over-idlib/20604/https://www.mediaapakabar.com/2020/03/jadi-bintang-di-pertempuran-idlib.html
    1 Bayraktar TB2 (4 March) https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=187369
  23. Web site: Turkish UAVs played leading role in Idlib battle. March 6, 2020. Janes.
  24. https://www.mepanews.com/milli-savunma-bakanligi-idlib-harekatinda-3138-rejim-unsuru-etkisiz-hale-getirildi-34425h.htm Milli Savunma Bakanlığı: İdlib harekatında 3138 rejim unsuru etkisiz hale getirildi. (Ministry of National Defense: 3138 regime elements were neutralized in the Idlib operation). Mepanews.com, 4 March 2020.
  25. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/turkey-neutralizes-3-000-regime-elements-in-idlib-syria/1754130 Turkey neutralizes 3,000+ regime elements in Idlib, Syria. Merve Aydogan, Anadolu Agency, 4 March 2020.
  26. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/operation-spring-shield/turkish-drones-neutralize-21-syrian-regime-troops/1756474 Turkish drones neutralize 21 Syrian regime troops.Hamdi Celikbas, Anadolu Agency, 6 March 2020.
  27. Web site: Turkish F-16 Shoots Down Syria's L-39 Warplane. Our Bureau. Defense World. 2020-03-03. 2025-05-09. 2022-01-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20220127231330/https://www.defenseworld.net/news/26450/Turkish_F_16_Shoots_Down_Syria___s_L_39_Warplane. dead.
  28. News: Military escalation in "De-escalation zone" 51 days on: 1,200,000 people displaced…2,640 killed…276 areas fall to regime forces . March 5, 2020 . March 13, 2021 . Syrian Observatory for Human Rights . Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
  29. Web site: Gregory. Waters. The Syrian Regime's Combat Losses in Spring 2020, and What Lies Ahead. 18 June 2020. 2020-10-18. Middle East Institute. en. 18 January 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20250118195553/https://www.mei.edu/publications/syrian-regimes-combat-losses-spring-2020-and-what-lies-ahead. In one week, this Turkish offensive, supporting a rebel ground offensive, killed at least 405 pro-regime fighters, including 30 high-ranking officers, and led to the destruction or capture of 73 armored vehicles..
  30. Web site: Turkish strike in Syria kills nine Hezbollah members, wounds 30 . 2024-11-28. Reuters. en.
  31. Web site: Several Hezbollah members killed in Turkish strike in Syria: reports. 2024-11-28. İ24News. en.
  32. Web site: Turkey launches military operation against Syrian regime. 2024-11-28. The Times of Israel. en.
  33. Web site: Lebanon's Hezbollah holds funeral for five of its fighters killed in Syria. 2024-11-28. Alarabiya News. en.
  34. Web site: Turkey shoots down two Syrian warplanes, destroys armor, kills troops as conflict escalates. 1 March 2020. The Washington Post. https://web.archive.org/web/20200330083438/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/turkey-shoots-down-two-syrian-warplanes-in-growing-conflict/2020/03/01/d0fd189a-5bbe-11ea-ac50-18701e14e06d_story.html. 30 March 2020. An Iranian news outlet reported that 21 Iranians had been killed in Turkish attacks.
  35. Web site: Turkish Drones and Artillery Are Devastating Assad's Forces In Idlib Province-Here's Why. Forbes. 2024-11-28. en.
  36. Web site: بعد إسقاطها لمروحيتين الشهر الفائت.. القوات التركية تسقط طائرتين حربيتين تابعة للنظام السوري في أجواء محافظة إدلب . SOHR . March 2020. 1 March 2020.
  37. Web site: Turkey shoots down two Syrian fighter jets over Idlib. 2024-11-28. Al Jazeera. en.
  38. Web site: Turkey shoots down two Syrian warplanes, destroys armor, kills troops as conflict escalates. The Washington Post. 2024-11-28. en.
  39. Web site: The Syrian Regime’s Combat Losses in Spring 2020, and What Lies Ahead Middle East Institute . 2025-08-07 . www.mei.edu.
  40. Web site: Turkey launches Operation Spring Shield against Syrian forces. Zaman . Amberin . Al-Monitor. 2020-03-01.
  41. Web site: Truzman . Joe . 2020-03-05 . Turkey's Operation "Spring Shield" delivers blow to Hezbollah . Longwarjournal.org.
  42. Web site: Rusya'dan İdlib açıklaması: Ateşkes düzenlemesine genel olarak uyuluyor. 2020-03-12. Ankara. Milliyet. tr.
  43. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51667717.amp Syria war: Alarm after 33 Turkish soldiers killed in attack in Idlib
  44. Web site: 33 Turkish soldiers killed, 36 wounded in Syria's Idlib - live blog. Ahval. 2020-06-24. 2020-12-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20201214054704/https://ahvalnews.com/syrian-rebels/33-turkish-soldiers-killed-36-wounded-syrias-idlib-live-blog. dead.
  45. Web site: Deciphering Turkey's darkest night in Syria. Metin. Gurcan. February 28, 2020. Al-Monitor.
  46. Web site: The Strike: Did Russia Knowingly Target Turkish Troops? . POLYGRAPH.info . 2020-02-28 . 2020-03-09.
  47. Web site: Turkey launches Operation Spring Shield. Hürriyet Daily News. 2 March 2020 . en. 2020-03-05.
  48. Web site: Bakan Akar: 200'ü aşkın rejim hedefi ağır ateş altına alındı . NTV . 28 February 2020.
  49. http://www.syriahr.com/?p=366030 45 regime forces killed by bombing drones and war planes and Turkish artillery shelling ... and surface-to-surface missiles targeting the countryside of Aleppo
  50. Web site: Turkish military carries out massive attack against Syrian Army. February 28, 2020. June 19, 2020. March 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200301161339/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/turkish-military-carries-out-massive-attack-against-syrian-army/. dead.
  51. Web site: 24 Hours after the killing of tens of Turkish soldiers, regime's artillery kill and injure 3 others and drones kill officers of the regime and leaders of Hezbollah. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 28 February 2020.
  52. News: Soldatkin . Vladimir . Russia, Turkey agree ceasefire deal for Syria's Idlib . Reuters . 2020-03-06 . 2020-03-19.
  53. News: 45 قتيلا من قوات النظام بقصف طائرات مسيرة وحربية وقصف مدفعي تركي.. وصواريخ أرض-أرض تستهدف ريف حلب . 19 March 2021 . SOHR . 29 February 2020.
  54. News: Syrian chemical warfare facility destroyed in overnight Turkish strike: report . 19 March 2021 . I24 . 29 February 2020.
  55. Web site: Turkish air and ground bombardment kills nearly 50 regime soldiers in Idlib and Aleppo and destroys 13 military vehicles in 24 hours • the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights . 29 February 2020 .
  56. Web site: بعد إسقاطها لمروحيتين الشهر الفائت.. القوات التركية تسقط طائرتين حربيتين تابعة للنظام السوري في أجواء محافظة إدلب . SOHR . March 2020. 1 March 2020.
  57. News: 2 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200302110150/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/syrian-troops-retake-key-northwestern-town-from-rebel-forces/2020/03/02/d7ae8120-5c62-11ea-ac50-18701e14e06d_story.html. Syrian troops retake key northwestern town from rebel forces. The Washington Post.
  58. Web site: March 1, 2020 . Assad regime downs Turkish drone in Syria after announcing airspace closure . Daily Sabah.
  59. News: طائرات مسيرة تركية تقصف "اللواء "47.. والمضادات الأرضية في مطار حماة العسكري تتصدى . 19 March 2021 . SOHR . 1 March 2020.
  60. Web site: Turkish drones kill 19 regime soldiers, the death toll of regime forces and loyalists rises to 93 in less than 72 hours. 1 March 2020. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
  61. Web site: Wreckage of Turkish combat drone uncovered In southeast Idlib (pics). March 19, 2020. June 24, 2020. March 2, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220302060024/https://defence-point.com/2020/03/19/wreckage-of-turkish-combat-drone-uncovered-in-southeast-idlib-pics/. dead.
  62. Web site: March 3, 2020. 137 persons killed across Syria yesterday, including 40 regime soldiers and loyalists. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
  63. Web site: Regime artillery fire leaves Turkish soldiers dead or wounded in rural Idlib. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 2 March 2020.
  64. Web site: Syria army retakes Saraqib city in Idlib from opposition. Middle East Monitor. 4 March 2020.
  65. https://apnews.com/75cfdf548c889c4d946027eda1e23fdb Turkey's Erdogan hopes to broker Syria truce in Moscow
  66. Web site: 115 regime soldiers, rebels and jihadists killed in 24 hours, while regime forces recapture Saraqeb and surrounding villages. 3 March 2020. SOHR.
  67. Web site: Syrian Army attempts to advance in eastern Idlib after seizing Saraqib city. 2020-03-03. AMN - Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. en-US. 2020-03-03. 2020-11-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20201130081107/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-attempts-to-advance-in-eastern-idlib-after-seizing-saraqib-city/. dead.
  68. Web site: بعد إسقاط تركيا لطائرته.. الفصائل تعثر على جثة الطيار في منطقة جبل الزاوية. 3 March 2020. SOHR. ar.
  69. Web site: Syrian Army went behind enemy lines to save pilot in Idlib. 2020-03-03. AMN - Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. en-US. 2020-03-03. 2020-03-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20200303170928/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-went-behind-enemy-lines-to-save-pilot-in-idlib/. dead.
  70. Web site: Two Turkish Air Force Drone Reportedly Shot Down By Syrian Air Defense Over Idlib. 3 March 2020 .
  71. Web site: Syrian Army takes down Turkish drone in Idlib. TASS. 2020-03-03.
  72. Web site: Turkish forces resume bombarding regime positions, while regime forces attempt to advance further northwest of Saraqeb. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 4 March 2020.
  73. http://www.syriahr.com/?p=366756 Dead and wounded in the ranks of the Turkish forces with artillery shelling of the regime forces in Idlib countryside (In Arabic)
  74. News: Esad'ın katliamcı generali Süheyl Hasan, SİHA ile vuruldu . 5 March 2020 . A Haber . 5 March 2020.
  75. Web site: Images of one of the Turkish drones shot down by Syrian Arab Army units in Idleb. Syrian Arab News Agency. 4 March 2020. 4 March 2020.
  76. Web site: Syrian Army shoots down Turkish drone in Idlib, 10th in 3 days: photo. Al-Masdar News. 4 March 2020. 4 March 2020. 13 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211113012605/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-shoots-down-turkish-drone-in-idlib-10th-in-3-days-photo/. dead.
  77. Web site: 82 were killed yesterday including 46 of the regime forces and militiamen loyal to them, and 36 others. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 5 March 2020.
  78. Web site: Marcus . Jonathan . How Russia's Putin became the go-to man on Syria . BBC News . 2020-03-05 . 2020-03-05.
  79. Web site: Joint Turkish-Russian patrols to begin on March 15 – latest updates . TRT World . 2020-03-07 . 2020-03-12.
  80. News: Cafarella. Jennifer. Dunford. John. Land. Michael . Wallace. Blane. Turkey Commits to Idlib. . 2020-03-18 . 2024-12-25. 14 January 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20250114050458/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/turkey-commits-idlib . Turkey's intervention in Idlib Province changed the military balance in northwest Syria... Turkey has compelled Russia to enter a new de-escalation agreement, but that agreement is unlikely to hold... Russia opted to de-escalate in Idlib in September 2018 after attempting but failing to compel Turkish-backed opposition groups to surrender...Turkey's response indirectly but significantly weakened Russia's military position in Idlib. The casualties and equipment losses badly depleted the ability of pro-regime forces to launch further offensives...Turkey's targeting of regime aircraft and airbases also forced Russia to face even greater material and manpower costs to sustain an air campaign, either by expanding its own air campaign or offsetting the regime's losses. Finally, Turkey's targeting of the regime's air force also delivered a significant morale victory for the Syrian opposition and the displaced Syrian populations who have suffered years of unmitigated aerial bombardment. .
  81. Web site: Parachini . John V. . Wilson . Peter A. . Drone-Era Warfare Shows the Operational Limits of Air Defense Systems . . 2 July 2020 . Many of the tactics, techniques, and procedures used to defeat SHORADS in Libya were tested during the Turkish military's brief 2020 winter campaign in Idlib Province during which Turkey destroyed Pantsir SHORAD and Buk-M1 medium-range SAM systems operated by the Assad Regime. . https://web.archive.org/web/20231210155258/https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2020/07/drone-era-warfare-shows-the-operational-limits-of-air.html . 10 December 2023.
  82. News: Tanchum. Michaël . Turkey's In-between State of War and Peace with Russia . The Turkey Analyst. 2020-03-25 . 2024-12-25. Employing its domestically-produced KORAL land-based transportable electronic warfare system that can create ghost images on enemy radar, Turkey was able to inflict an impressive amount of damage to Syrian as well as Russian military assets using its Bayraktar TB2 and Anka combat drones...Turkey's overriding interest to entrench its influence northern Syria compel Ankara to yield to Moscow and seek a new equilibrium somewhere between war and peace in Idlib. .
  83. Web site: Kasapoglu . Can . Turkey's Drone Blitz Over Idlib . . 17 April 2020. 14 March 2025. While the Turkish Armed Forces scored a large number of kills on the Baathist regime's combat units, the unmanned systems' success in eliminating Syria's Russian-manufactured surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems deserve the utmost attention. Within a week, Turkey's UAVs destroyed a total of eight Pantsir and Buk air defenses . https://web.archive.org/web/20250307013629/https://jamestown.org/program/turkeys-drone-blitz-over-idlib/ . 7 March 2025.
  84. News: An uncertain future for Idlib as Assad is welcomed back to the international stage. The New Arab. 2023-06-05 . 2024-12-25. The Syrian regime has expressed its desire to reclaim the (Idlib) province, but ever since a March 2020 offensive ended in a disastrous defeat at the hands of Turkey, the territory has not changed hands.
  85. News: Turkey shoots down two Syrian warplanes, destroys armor, kills troops as conflict escalates. The Washington Post. 2020-03-01 . 2024-12-25 . Turkey shot down two warplanes and inflicted heavy losses on ground forces in northwestern Syria on Sunday as the two countries edged closer to an all-out war...The situation on the ground was fluid, and the progress of the Turkish-backed offensive was difficult to assess. But it appeared the Turkish intervention had succeeded in halting, and in some places reversing, weeks of Syrian government advances into the last enclave of rebel-held territory that have sent nearly a million people fleeing toward Turkey for safety. .
  86. News: 20 April 2023 . منذ نحو 38 شهراً.. غياب تام لطائرات النظام الحربية والمروحية عن أجواء منطقة "بوتين-أردوغان" . For nearly 38 months, regime warplanes and helicopters have been completely absent from the skies of the "Putin-Erdogan" region. . 24 July 2023 . SOHR . Arabic.
  87. News: Turkey drone success has ‘elevated' it in the world, says Fukuyama. 9 January 2025 . Middle East Monitor . 13 April 2021 .

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