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Luftangriffe 2020 in Balyun

2020-03-17T04:39:04Z

61.6.233.93:

{{Infobox military operation
|name = 2020 Balyun airstrikes
|partof = [[Syrian Civil War]] and [[Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020)]]
|subtitle =
|image =
|image_upright =
|alt =
|caption =
|scope =
|type =
|location = [[Balyun]], [[Idlib]], [[Syria]]
|location2 = 
|coordinates =
|coordinates2 = 
|map_type =
|map_size =
|map_caption =
|map_label =
|map_label2 = 
|planned =
|planned_by =
|commanded_by =
|objective =
|target = [[Turkish Armed Forces]]
|date = 27 February 2020
|time =
|time-begin =
|time-end =
|timezone =
|executed_by = {{flagicon|Russia}} [[Russian Air Force]] (denied by Russia)<ref name="Agencies 2020 denies">{{cite web | last=Agencies | first=Daily Sabah with | title=Russia denies involvement in airstrikes on Turkish troops in Idlib | website=Daily Sabah | date=2020-02-28 | url=https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/russia-denies-involvement-in-airstrikes-on-turkish-troops-in-idlib | access-date=2020-03-09}}</ref> {{flagicon|Syria}} [[Syrian Arab Air Force|Syrian Air Force]]
|outcome =
|casualties = {{Flagicon|Turkey}} 33–34 soldiers killed (per Turkey)<ref>[https://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/syrian-turkish-armies-engage-in-new-deadly-clashes-in-idlib-1.621238 Syrian, Turkish armies engage in new deadly clashes in Idlib] [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/05/erdogan-putin-talks-secure-syria-ceasefire Putin and Erdoğan in last-ditch talks to secure Syria ceasefire] [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/15-displaced-syrians-killed-idlib-air-attack-200305104007673.html At least 15 displaced Syrians killed in Idlib air attack]</ref><ref name="sozcu">[https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2020/gundem/erdogan-idlibde-59-sehit-verdik-5667724/ Erdoğan: İdlib’de 59 şehit verdik]</ref> {{Flagicon|Turkey}} 34+ soldiers killed (per SOHR)<ref>http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=155973 |date=9 March 2020</ref> {{Flagicon|Turkey}} 50–100 soldiers killed (per other sources)<ref>[https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/idlib-tuerkische-soldaten-sterben-durch-luftangriffe-in-syrien-a-f42bf8b4-e061-4a7c-a697-7fc97fe37c3a Idlib: Türkische Soldaten sterben durch Luftangriffe in Syrien]</ref><ref name = "deciphering"/><ref>[https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/dozens-of-turkish-soldiers-killed-in-strike-in-idlib-in-syria/ar-BB10uvmc?li=BBnb7Kz Dozens of Turkish soldiers killed in strike in Idlib in Syria] [https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/02/erdogan-turkey-syria-assad? Erdoğan is reaping what he sowed: Turkey is on the brink of disaster in Syria]</ref>
|fatalities =
|injuries =
}}
{{Campaignbox Turkish involvement in the Syrian Civil War}}
On 27 February 2020, during the peak of [[Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020)|Operation Dawn of Idlib 2]], the [[Syrian Arab Air Force]] conducted two airstrikes against a [[Turkish Army]] convoy in [[Balyun|Balyun, Idlib]]. The strikes resulted in the deaths of 34 Turkish soldiers according to Turkish president [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]],<ref name="sozcu"/> while other sources close to Turkey gave tolls of up to 50–100 Turkish soldiers killed,<ref>[https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/idlib-tuerkische-soldaten-sterben-durch-luftangriffe-in-syrien-a-f42bf8b4-e061-4a7c-a697-7fc97fe37c3a Turkish soldiers die from airstrikes in Idlib]</ref><ref>[https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/dozens-of-turkish-soldiers-killed-in-strike-in-idlib-in-syria/ar-BB10uvmc?li=BBnb7Kz Dozens of Turkish soldiers killed in strike in Idlib in Syria]</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/02/erdogan-turkey-syria-assad? Erdoğan is reaping what he sowed: Turkey is on the brink of disaster in Syria]</ref> making it the single deadliest attack on [[Turkish Armed Forces|Turkish forces]] since the start of their [[Turkish involvement in the Syrian Civil War|involvement in the Syrian Civil War]].<ref name = "allknown"/><ref name = "NYT1"/> Between 36 and 60 soldiers were also wounded, of which 16 were reported to be in critical condition.<ref>[https://ahvalnews.com/syrian-rebels/33-turkish-soldiers-killed-36-wounded-syrias-idlib-live-blog 33 Turkish soldiers killed, 36 wounded in Syria's Idlib - live blog]</ref><ref name = "deciphering">[https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/02/turkey-syria-russia-deciphering-attack-on-turkish-troops.html Deciphering Turkey’s darkest night in Syria]</ref>

==The strikes==
At around 11 a.m. on 27 February 2020, two Russian [[Sukhoi Su-34]] and two Syrian [[Sukhoi Su-17|Su-22]] fighter jets started intensive bombing raids of Turkish-backed rebel forces in the southern countryside of Syria's Idlib province. According to Russian sources, after 1 p.m., Turkish troops conducted more than 15 [[Man-portable air-defense system|MANPADS]] attacks against the Russian and Syrian jets, with some Russian aircraft allegedly suffering damage while evading the fire.<ref name = "deciphering"/>

At around 5 p.m., a 400-man Turkish mechanized infantry battalion traveling in a convoy was targeted by an airstrike on the road between al-Bara and Balyun, around five kilometers north of [[Kafr Nabl]]. A light airstrike by a Su-22s halted the convoy, after which more intense bombing forced the Turkish soldiers to take shelter in the nearby buildings. According to ''[[Al-Monitor]]'', "What followed next was likely the dropping of [[KAB-1500L]] bombs...by the Russian jets", collapsing two buildings and leaving a number of soldiers under the rubble. The following day, Russia denied it carried out airstrikes in the area and stated it made attempts to ensure the Syrian military ceased firing to allow the evacuation of the Turkish troops, but noted the Turkish forces should not have been in the area, where "counter-terror operations" were taking place, and that Turkey failed to notify it about the soldiers' presence in advance.<ref name = "deciphering"/> Turkey noted that Russia was aware of Turkish troop locations, the two countries having regularly liaised about this.<ref name="Ministry 2020">{{cite web | title=The Strike: Did Russia Knowingly Target Turkish Troops? | website=POLYGRAPH.info | date=2020-02-28 | url=https://www.polygraph.info/a/turkey-russia-syria-fact-check/30460458.html | access-date=2020-03-09}}</ref>

==Turkish retaliation==
According to the Turkish [[Ministry of National Defense (Turkey)|Ministry of National Defense]], Turkey responded to the airstrikes and neutralized 329 Syrian government troops and destroyed five [[Military helicopter|helicopters]], 23 [[Tank|tanks]], 10 [[Armored fighting vehicle|armored vehicles]] 23 [[Artillery|artillery]] and [[Howitzer|howitzers]], five ammunition trucks, one [[Buk missile system|SA-17]] and one [[Pantsir missile system|SA-22]] air defense systems, three ammunition depots, two inventory depots and one headquarter building belonging to the Syrian government,<ref>{{cite web |title=Bakan Akar: 200'ü aşkın rejim hedefi ağır ateş altına alındı |url=https://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/bakan-akardan-idlib-aciklamasi-200u-askin-rejim-hedefi-agir-ates-altina-alindi,awStSE9uBkygl8uGfj5JKQ |website=NTV |accessdate=28 February 2020}}</ref> which could not be corroborated.<ref>[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/turkish-soldiers-killed-air-raid-syria-idlib-200227211119672.html 33 Turkish soldiers killed in Syrian air raid in Idlib]</ref> A Syrian military official acknowledged their armored and technical vehicles were heavily targeted and that their northwestern Syria arsenal suffered significant destruction.<ref>[https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/turkish-military-carries-out-massive-attack-against-syrian-army/ Turkish military carries out massive attack against Syrian Army]</ref> The SOHR reported that 170 Syrian soldiers and 27 other allied foreign fighters were killed by Turkish drone and artillery attacks between 28 February and 5 March.<ref>[https://www.france24.com/en/20200303-syrian-pilot-killed-as-turkey-downs-warplane-monitor Syrian pilot killed as Turkey downs warplane: monitor]</ref><ref>[http://www.syriahr.com/?p=367176 خلال أقل من 50 يوم.. مليون و150 ألف نازح.. و2640 شخص استشهدوا وقضوا وقتلوا في حلب وحماة وإدلب.. و276 منطقة باتت بيد “النظام السوري”]</ref> Syrian government fire killed seven Turkish soldiers and injured 21 more.<ref>[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] [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]</ref><ref>[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] [http://www.syriahr.com/?p=366756 قتلى وجرحى في صفوف القوات التركية بقصف مدفعي لقوات النظام على ريف إدلب]</ref><ref>[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] [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] [http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=156343 Turkish forces resume bombarding regime positions, while regime forces attempt to advance further northwest of Saraqeb]</ref><ref>[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] [http://www.syriahr.com/?p=367235 قُبيل دخول وقف إطلاق النار حيز التنفيذ.. مقتل جنديين تركيين في قصف مدفعي لقوات النظام واستمرار الغارات الروسية على ريف إدلب ]</ref>

[[Fighter aircraft]], [[Unmanned combat aerial vehicle|combat drones]] and ground fire were used in the retaliation according to the Turkish Ministry of Defense.<ref>{{cite news |title=329 rejim askeri etkisiz hale getirildi |url=https://www.trthaber.com/haber/gundem/329-rejim-askeri-etkisiz-hale-getirildi-463736.html |accessdate=28 February 2020 |agency=Anadolu Agency |publisher=TRT Haber |date=28 February 2020}}</ref> According to Turkish sources, Turkish combat drones entered Syrian airspace while [[Turkish Air Force]] [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16 fighter jets]] launched long range [[Precision-guided munition|precision-guided munitions]] without entering Syrian airspace.<ref>{{cite news |title=Son dakika İdlib'de rejim unsurlarına ağır darbe! Türk savaş uçakları hava sahası engelini böyle aştı... |url=https://www.milliyet.com.tr/gundem/son-dakika-idlibde-rejim-unsurlarina-agir-darbe-turk-savas-ucaklari-hava-sahasi-engelini-boyle-asti-6155064 |accessdate=28 February 2020 |publisher=Milliyet}}</ref>

Turkey also deployed [[MIM-23 Hawk]] [[surface-to-air missile]]s to its [[Syria–Turkey border|border with Syria]] the following day.<ref>{{cite news |title=Türkiye'nin HAWK hava savunma sistemleri yönünü Suriye'ye çevrildi |url=https://www.star.com.tr/savunma/turkiyenin-hawk-hava-savunma-sistemleri-yonunu-suriyeye-cevrildi-haber-1518798/ |accessdate=28 February 2020 |publisher=Star |date=28 February 2020}}</ref>

==Reactions==
Protests against Russia occurred at the Russian Consulate in Istanbul the day following the strikes.<ref name = "NYT1"/> The Turkish cabinet had an emergency meeting concerning the airstrikes. The Turkish government then threatened retaliation against the Syrian government for the strikes, and opened up its borders for Syrian refugees to enter into mainland Europe. In addition, the Turkish Foreign Minister [[Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu]] spoke with the Secretary General of NATO, [[Jens Stoltenberg]], concerning the incident.<ref name = "CNN1"/>

On 29 February 2020, the [[Greece|Greek]] delegation to NATO blocked the issuance of a joint declaration intended to support Turkey regarding its military operation in Syria. According to Kathimerini daily, the reason for the veto was because the United States, United Kingdom, France and Germany denied the Greek demand to add a paragraph, regarding the issue of refugee and migrant influx from Turkey to Greece.<ref>[https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/02/29/greece-vetoed-nato-communique-intended-to-support-turkey/ Greece Vetoed NATO Communique Intended to Support Turkey]</ref><ref>[https://www.tert.am/en/news/2020/02/29/idlib/3223514 Greece 'vetoes NATO statement' on support for Turkey amid Syria escalation]</ref>

On 2 March 2020, the U.S. [[Secretary of Defence]] [[Mark Esper]] denied US air support for Turkey in Idlib, Syria. The Chairman of the US Joint Staffs General [[Mark Milley]] stated that they dont “have clear" intelligence of who was flying the planes that carried out the strike.<ref>[https://ahvalnews.com/turkey-syria/pentagon-chief-says-no-us-air-support-turkey-idlib-live-blog Pentagon chief says no U.S. air support for Turkey in Idlib - live blog]</ref>

==References==

{{Reflist
|refs =
<ref name = "NYT1">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/27/world/middleeast/russia-turkey-syria-war-strikes.html?smtyp=cur&smid=tw-nytimes |title=Airstrike Hits Turkish Forces in Syria, Raising Fears of Escalation |last=Gall |first=Carlotta |date= 27 Feb 2020|website= The New York Times|publisher= [[The New York Times]]|access-date= 27 Feb 2020}}</ref>
<ref name = "CNN1">{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/27/middleeast/turkish-soldiers-killed-syria/index.html |title=At least 29 Turkish soldiers killed in an air attack by Syrian regime, Turkish governor says |last=Tuysuz |first=Gul |last2= Sariyuce |first2= Isil |date= 27 Feb 2020|website= CNN|publisher= [[CNN]]|access-date= 27 Feb 2020}}</ref><ref name = "allknown">{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200227-erdogan-calls-emergency-meeting-after-deadly-attack-on-turkish-troops-in-syria |website = France 24 |publisher = France 24|title = Turkey hits 'all known' Syrian govt positions after soldiers killed in Idlib|date=28 Feb 2020}}</ref>
}}

{{Syrian Civil War}}

[[Category:Airstrikes during the Syrian Civil War]]
[[Category:2020 in Syria]]
[[Category:Syrian Air Force involvement in the Syrian Civil War]]
[[Category:Military operations of the Syrian Civil War involving Turkey]]
[[Category:Military operations of the Syrian Civil War in 2020]]
[[Category:Idlib Governorate in the Syrian Civil War]]
[[Category:Turkish involvement in the Syrian Civil War]]

Luftangriffe 2020 in Balyun

2020-03-17T04:37:52Z

61.6.233.93:

{{Infobox military operation
|name = 2020 Balyun airstrikes
|partof = [[Syrian Civil War]] and [[Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020)]]
|subtitle =
|image =
|image_upright =
|alt =
|caption =
|scope =
|type =
|location = [[Balyun]], [[Idlib]], [[Syria]]
|location2 = 
|coordinates =
|coordinates2 = 
|map_type =
|map_size =
|map_caption =
|map_label =
|map_label2 = 
|planned =
|planned_by =
|commanded_by =
|objective =
|target = [[Turkish Armed Forces]]
|date = 27 February 2020
|time =
|time-begin =
|time-end =
|timezone =
|executed_by = {{flagicon|Russia}} [[Russian Air Force]] (denied by Russia)<ref name="Agencies 2020 denies">{{cite web | last=Agencies | first=Daily Sabah with | title=Russia denies involvement in airstrikes on Turkish troops in Idlib | website=Daily Sabah | date=2020-02-28 | url=https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/russia-denies-involvement-in-airstrikes-on-turkish-troops-in-idlib | access-date=2020-03-09}}</ref> {{flagicon|Syria}} [[Syrian Arab Air Force|Syrian Air Force]]
|outcome =
|casualties = {{Flagicon|Turkey}} 33–34 soldiers killed (per Turkey)<ref>[https://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/syrian-turkish-armies-engage-in-new-deadly-clashes-in-idlib-1.621238 Syrian, Turkish armies engage in new deadly clashes in Idlib] [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/05/erdogan-putin-talks-secure-syria-ceasefire Putin and Erdoğan in last-ditch talks to secure Syria ceasefire] [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/15-displaced-syrians-killed-idlib-air-attack-200305104007673.html At least 15 displaced Syrians killed in Idlib air attack]</ref><ref name="sozcu">[https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2020/gundem/erdogan-idlibde-59-sehit-verdik-5667724/ Erdoğan: İdlib’de 59 şehit verdik]</ref> {{Flagicon|Turkey}} 34+ soldiers killed (per SOHR)<ref>http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=155973 |date=9 March 2020</ref> {{Flagicon|Turkey}} 50–100 soldiers killed (per other sources)<ref>[https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/idlib-tuerkische-soldaten-sterben-durch-luftangriffe-in-syrien-a-f42bf8b4-e061-4a7c-a697-7fc97fe37c3a Idlib: Türkische Soldaten sterben durch Luftangriffe in Syrien]</ref><ref name = "deciphering"/><ref>[https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/dozens-of-turkish-soldiers-killed-in-strike-in-idlib-in-syria/ar-BB10uvmc?li=BBnb7Kz Dozens of Turkish soldiers killed in strike in Idlib in Syria] [https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/02/erdogan-turkey-syria-assad? Erdoğan is reaping what he sowed: Turkey is on the brink of disaster in Syria]</ref>
|fatalities =
|injuries =
}}
{{Campaignbox Turkish involvement in the Syrian Civil War}}
On 27 February 2020, during the peak of [[Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020)|Operation Dawn of Idlib 2]], the [[Syrian Arab Air Force]] conducted two airstrikes against a [[Turkish Army]] convoy in [[Balyun|Balyun, Idlib]]. The strikes resulted in the deaths of 34 Turkish soldiers according to Turkish president [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]],<ref name="sozcu"/> while other sources close to Turkey gave tolls of up to 50–100 dead Turkish soldiers,<ref>[https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/idlib-tuerkische-soldaten-sterben-durch-luftangriffe-in-syrien-a-f42bf8b4-e061-4a7c-a697-7fc97fe37c3a Turkish soldiers die from airstrikes in Idlib]</ref><ref>[https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/dozens-of-turkish-soldiers-killed-in-strike-in-idlib-in-syria/ar-BB10uvmc?li=BBnb7Kz Dozens of Turkish soldiers killed in strike in Idlib in Syria]</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/02/erdogan-turkey-syria-assad? Erdoğan is reaping what he sowed: Turkey is on the brink of disaster in Syria]</ref> making it the single deadliest attack on [[Turkish Armed Forces|Turkish forces]] since the start of their [[Turkish involvement in the Syrian Civil War|involvement in the Syrian Civil War]].<ref name = "allknown"/><ref name = "NYT1"/> Between 36 and 60 soldiers were also wounded, of which 16 were reported to be in critical condition.<ref>[https://ahvalnews.com/syrian-rebels/33-turkish-soldiers-killed-36-wounded-syrias-idlib-live-blog 33 Turkish soldiers killed, 36 wounded in Syria's Idlib - live blog]</ref><ref name = "deciphering">[https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/02/turkey-syria-russia-deciphering-attack-on-turkish-troops.html Deciphering Turkey’s darkest night in Syria]</ref>

==The strikes==
At around 11 a.m. on 27 February 2020, two Russian [[Sukhoi Su-34]] and two Syrian [[Sukhoi Su-17|Su-22]] fighter jets started intensive bombing raids of Turkish-backed rebel forces in the southern countryside of Syria's Idlib province. According to Russian sources, after 1 p.m., Turkish troops conducted more than 15 [[Man-portable air-defense system|MANPADS]] attacks against the Russian and Syrian jets, with some Russian aircraft allegedly suffering damage while evading the fire.<ref name = "deciphering"/>

At around 5 p.m., a 400-man Turkish mechanized infantry battalion traveling in a convoy was targeted by an airstrike on the road between al-Bara and Balyun, around five kilometers north of [[Kafr Nabl]]. A light airstrike by a Su-22s halted the convoy, after which more intense bombing forced the Turkish soldiers to take shelter in the nearby buildings. According to ''[[Al-Monitor]]'', "What followed next was likely the dropping of [[KAB-1500L]] bombs...by the Russian jets", collapsing two buildings and leaving a number of soldiers under the rubble. The following day, Russia denied it carried out airstrikes in the area and stated it made attempts to ensure the Syrian military ceased firing to allow the evacuation of the Turkish troops, but noted the Turkish forces should not have been in the area, where "counter-terror operations" were taking place, and that Turkey failed to notify it about the soldiers' presence in advance.<ref name = "deciphering"/> Turkey noted that Russia was aware of Turkish troop locations, the two countries having regularly liaised about this.<ref name="Ministry 2020">{{cite web | title=The Strike: Did Russia Knowingly Target Turkish Troops? | website=POLYGRAPH.info | date=2020-02-28 | url=https://www.polygraph.info/a/turkey-russia-syria-fact-check/30460458.html | access-date=2020-03-09}}</ref>

==Turkish retaliation==
According to the Turkish [[Ministry of National Defense (Turkey)|Ministry of National Defense]], Turkey responded to the airstrikes and neutralized 329 Syrian government troops and destroyed five [[Military helicopter|helicopters]], 23 [[Tank|tanks]], 10 [[Armored fighting vehicle|armored vehicles]] 23 [[Artillery|artillery]] and [[Howitzer|howitzers]], five ammunition trucks, one [[Buk missile system|SA-17]] and one [[Pantsir missile system|SA-22]] air defense systems, three ammunition depots, two inventory depots and one headquarter building belonging to the Syrian government,<ref>{{cite web |title=Bakan Akar: 200'ü aşkın rejim hedefi ağır ateş altına alındı |url=https://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/bakan-akardan-idlib-aciklamasi-200u-askin-rejim-hedefi-agir-ates-altina-alindi,awStSE9uBkygl8uGfj5JKQ |website=NTV |accessdate=28 February 2020}}</ref> which could not be corroborated.<ref>[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/turkish-soldiers-killed-air-raid-syria-idlib-200227211119672.html 33 Turkish soldiers killed in Syrian air raid in Idlib]</ref> A Syrian military official acknowledged their armored and technical vehicles were heavily targeted and that their northwestern Syria arsenal suffered significant destruction.<ref>[https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/turkish-military-carries-out-massive-attack-against-syrian-army/ Turkish military carries out massive attack against Syrian Army]</ref> The SOHR reported that 170 Syrian soldiers and 27 other allied foreign fighters were killed by Turkish drone and artillery attacks between 28 February and 5 March.<ref>[https://www.france24.com/en/20200303-syrian-pilot-killed-as-turkey-downs-warplane-monitor Syrian pilot killed as Turkey downs warplane: monitor]</ref><ref>[http://www.syriahr.com/?p=367176 خلال أقل من 50 يوم.. مليون و150 ألف نازح.. و2640 شخص استشهدوا وقضوا وقتلوا في حلب وحماة وإدلب.. و276 منطقة باتت بيد “النظام السوري”]</ref> Syrian government fire killed seven Turkish soldiers and injured 21 more.<ref>[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] [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]</ref><ref>[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] [http://www.syriahr.com/?p=366756 قتلى وجرحى في صفوف القوات التركية بقصف مدفعي لقوات النظام على ريف إدلب]</ref><ref>[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] [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] [http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=156343 Turkish forces resume bombarding regime positions, while regime forces attempt to advance further northwest of Saraqeb]</ref><ref>[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] [http://www.syriahr.com/?p=367235 قُبيل دخول وقف إطلاق النار حيز التنفيذ.. مقتل جنديين تركيين في قصف مدفعي لقوات النظام واستمرار الغارات الروسية على ريف إدلب ]</ref>

[[Fighter aircraft]], [[Unmanned combat aerial vehicle|combat drones]] and ground fire were used in the retaliation according to the Turkish Ministry of Defense.<ref>{{cite news |title=329 rejim askeri etkisiz hale getirildi |url=https://www.trthaber.com/haber/gundem/329-rejim-askeri-etkisiz-hale-getirildi-463736.html |accessdate=28 February 2020 |agency=Anadolu Agency |publisher=TRT Haber |date=28 February 2020}}</ref> According to Turkish sources, Turkish combat drones entered Syrian airspace while [[Turkish Air Force]] [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16 fighter jets]] launched long range [[Precision-guided munition|precision-guided munitions]] without entering Syrian airspace.<ref>{{cite news |title=Son dakika İdlib'de rejim unsurlarına ağır darbe! Türk savaş uçakları hava sahası engelini böyle aştı... |url=https://www.milliyet.com.tr/gundem/son-dakika-idlibde-rejim-unsurlarina-agir-darbe-turk-savas-ucaklari-hava-sahasi-engelini-boyle-asti-6155064 |accessdate=28 February 2020 |publisher=Milliyet}}</ref>

Turkey also deployed [[MIM-23 Hawk]] [[surface-to-air missile]]s to its [[Syria–Turkey border|border with Syria]] the following day.<ref>{{cite news |title=Türkiye'nin HAWK hava savunma sistemleri yönünü Suriye'ye çevrildi |url=https://www.star.com.tr/savunma/turkiyenin-hawk-hava-savunma-sistemleri-yonunu-suriyeye-cevrildi-haber-1518798/ |accessdate=28 February 2020 |publisher=Star |date=28 February 2020}}</ref>

==Reactions==
Protests against Russia occurred at the Russian Consulate in Istanbul the day following the strikes.<ref name = "NYT1"/> The Turkish cabinet had an emergency meeting concerning the airstrikes. The Turkish government then threatened retaliation against the Syrian government for the strikes, and opened up its borders for Syrian refugees to enter into mainland Europe. In addition, the Turkish Foreign Minister [[Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu]] spoke with the Secretary General of NATO, [[Jens Stoltenberg]], concerning the incident.<ref name = "CNN1"/>

On 29 February 2020, the [[Greece|Greek]] delegation to NATO blocked the issuance of a joint declaration intended to support Turkey regarding its military operation in Syria. According to Kathimerini daily, the reason for the veto was because the United States, United Kingdom, France and Germany denied the Greek demand to add a paragraph, regarding the issue of refugee and migrant influx from Turkey to Greece.<ref>[https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/02/29/greece-vetoed-nato-communique-intended-to-support-turkey/ Greece Vetoed NATO Communique Intended to Support Turkey]</ref><ref>[https://www.tert.am/en/news/2020/02/29/idlib/3223514 Greece 'vetoes NATO statement' on support for Turkey amid Syria escalation]</ref>

On 2 March 2020, the U.S. [[Secretary of Defence]] [[Mark Esper]] denied US air support for Turkey in Idlib, Syria. The Chairman of the US Joint Staffs General [[Mark Milley]] stated that they dont “have clear" intelligence of who was flying the planes that carried out the strike.<ref>[https://ahvalnews.com/turkey-syria/pentagon-chief-says-no-us-air-support-turkey-idlib-live-blog Pentagon chief says no U.S. air support for Turkey in Idlib - live blog]</ref>

==References==

{{Reflist
|refs =
<ref name = "NYT1">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/27/world/middleeast/russia-turkey-syria-war-strikes.html?smtyp=cur&smid=tw-nytimes |title=Airstrike Hits Turkish Forces in Syria, Raising Fears of Escalation |last=Gall |first=Carlotta |date= 27 Feb 2020|website= The New York Times|publisher= [[The New York Times]]|access-date= 27 Feb 2020}}</ref>
<ref name = "CNN1">{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/27/middleeast/turkish-soldiers-killed-syria/index.html |title=At least 29 Turkish soldiers killed in an air attack by Syrian regime, Turkish governor says |last=Tuysuz |first=Gul |last2= Sariyuce |first2= Isil |date= 27 Feb 2020|website= CNN|publisher= [[CNN]]|access-date= 27 Feb 2020}}</ref><ref name = "allknown">{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200227-erdogan-calls-emergency-meeting-after-deadly-attack-on-turkish-troops-in-syria |website = France 24 |publisher = France 24|title = Turkey hits 'all known' Syrian govt positions after soldiers killed in Idlib|date=28 Feb 2020}}</ref>
}}

{{Syrian Civil War}}

[[Category:Airstrikes during the Syrian Civil War]]
[[Category:2020 in Syria]]
[[Category:Syrian Air Force involvement in the Syrian Civil War]]
[[Category:Military operations of the Syrian Civil War involving Turkey]]
[[Category:Military operations of the Syrian Civil War in 2020]]
[[Category:Idlib Governorate in the Syrian Civil War]]
[[Category:Turkish involvement in the Syrian Civil War]]

Luftangriffe 2020 in Balyun

2020-03-17T04:36:33Z

61.6.233.93:

{{Infobox military operation
|name = 2020 Balyun airstrikes
|partof = [[Syrian Civil War]] and [[Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020)]]
|subtitle =
|image =
|image_upright =
|alt =
|caption =
|scope =
|type =
|location = [[Balyun]], [[Idlib]], [[Syria]]
|location2 = 
|coordinates =
|coordinates2 = 
|map_type =
|map_size =
|map_caption =
|map_label =
|map_label2 = 
|planned =
|planned_by =
|commanded_by =
|objective =
|target = [[Turkish Armed Forces]]
|date = 27 February 2020
|time =
|time-begin =
|time-end =
|timezone =
|executed_by = {{flagicon|Russia}} [[Russian Air Force]] (denied by Russia)<ref name="Agencies 2020 denies">{{cite web | last=Agencies | first=Daily Sabah with | title=Russia denies involvement in airstrikes on Turkish troops in Idlib | website=Daily Sabah | date=2020-02-28 | url=https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/russia-denies-involvement-in-airstrikes-on-turkish-troops-in-idlib | access-date=2020-03-09}}</ref> {{flagicon|Syria}} [[Syrian Arab Air Force|Syrian Air Force]]
|outcome =
|casualties = {{Flagicon|Turkey}} 33–34 soldiers killed (per Turkey)<ref>[https://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/syrian-turkish-armies-engage-in-new-deadly-clashes-in-idlib-1.621238 Syrian, Turkish armies engage in new deadly clashes in Idlib] [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/05/erdogan-putin-talks-secure-syria-ceasefire Putin and Erdoğan in last-ditch talks to secure Syria ceasefire] [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/15-displaced-syrians-killed-idlib-air-attack-200305104007673.html At least 15 displaced Syrians killed in Idlib air attack]</ref><ref name="sozcu">[https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2020/gundem/erdogan-idlibde-59-sehit-verdik-5667724/ Erdoğan: İdlib’de 59 şehit verdik]</ref> {{Flagicon|Turkey}} 34+ soldiers killed (per SOHR)<ref>http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=155973 |date=9 March 2020</ref> {{Flagicon|Turkey}} 50–100 soldiers killed (per other sources)<ref>[https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/idlib-tuerkische-soldaten-sterben-durch-luftangriffe-in-syrien-a-f42bf8b4-e061-4a7c-a697-7fc97fe37c3a Idlib: Türkische Soldaten sterben durch Luftangriffe in Syrien]</ref><ref name = "deciphering"/><ref>[https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/dozens-of-turkish-soldiers-killed-in-strike-in-idlib-in-syria/ar-BB10uvmc?li=BBnb7Kz Dozens of Turkish soldiers killed in strike in Idlib in Syria] [https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/02/erdogan-turkey-syria-assad? Erdoğan is reaping what he sowed: Turkey is on the brink of disaster in Syria]</ref>
|fatalities =
|injuries =
}}
{{Campaignbox Turkish involvement in the Syrian Civil War}}
On 27 February 2020, during the peak of [[Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020)|Operation Dawn of Idlib 2]], the [[Syrian Arab Air Force]] conducted two airstrikes against a [[Turkish Army]] convoy in [[Balyun|Balyun, Idlib]]. The strikes resulted in the deaths of 34 Turkish soldiers according to Turkish president [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]],<ref name="sozcu"/> while other sources close to Turkey gave tolls of 50–100 dead Turkish soldiers,<ref>[https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/idlib-tuerkische-soldaten-sterben-durch-luftangriffe-in-syrien-a-f42bf8b4-e061-4a7c-a697-7fc97fe37c3a Turkish soldiers die from airstrikes in Idlib]</ref><ref>[https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/dozens-of-turkish-soldiers-killed-in-strike-in-idlib-in-syria/ar-BB10uvmc?li=BBnb7Kz Dozens of Turkish soldiers killed in strike in Idlib in Syria]</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/02/erdogan-turkey-syria-assad? Erdoğan is reaping what he sowed: Turkey is on the brink of disaster in Syria]</ref> making it the single deadliest attack on [[Turkish Armed Forces|Turkish forces]] since the start of their [[Turkish involvement in the Syrian Civil War|involvement in the Syrian Civil War]].<ref name = "allknown"/><ref name = "NYT1"/> Between 36 and 60 soldiers were also wounded, of which 16 were reported to be in critical condition.<ref>[https://ahvalnews.com/syrian-rebels/33-turkish-soldiers-killed-36-wounded-syrias-idlib-live-blog 33 Turkish soldiers killed, 36 wounded in Syria's Idlib - live blog]</ref><ref name = "deciphering">[https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/02/turkey-syria-russia-deciphering-attack-on-turkish-troops.html Deciphering Turkey’s darkest night in Syria]</ref>

==The strikes==
At around 11 a.m. on 27 February 2020, two Russian [[Sukhoi Su-34]] and two Syrian [[Sukhoi Su-17|Su-22]] fighter jets started intensive bombing raids of Turkish-backed rebel forces in the southern countryside of Syria's Idlib province. According to Russian sources, after 1 p.m., Turkish troops conducted more than 15 [[Man-portable air-defense system|MANPADS]] attacks against the Russian and Syrian jets, with some Russian aircraft allegedly suffering damage while evading the fire.<ref name = "deciphering"/>

At around 5 p.m., a 400-man Turkish mechanized infantry battalion traveling in a convoy was targeted by an airstrike on the road between al-Bara and Balyun, around five kilometers north of [[Kafr Nabl]]. A light airstrike by a Su-22s halted the convoy, after which more intense bombing forced the Turkish soldiers to take shelter in the nearby buildings. According to ''[[Al-Monitor]]'', "What followed next was likely the dropping of [[KAB-1500L]] bombs...by the Russian jets", collapsing two buildings and leaving a number of soldiers under the rubble. The following day, Russia denied it carried out airstrikes in the area and stated it made attempts to ensure the Syrian military ceased firing to allow the evacuation of the Turkish troops, but noted the Turkish forces should not have been in the area, where "counter-terror operations" were taking place, and that Turkey failed to notify it about the soldiers' presence in advance.<ref name = "deciphering"/> Turkey noted that Russia was aware of Turkish troop locations, the two countries having regularly liaised about this.<ref name="Ministry 2020">{{cite web | title=The Strike: Did Russia Knowingly Target Turkish Troops? | website=POLYGRAPH.info | date=2020-02-28 | url=https://www.polygraph.info/a/turkey-russia-syria-fact-check/30460458.html | access-date=2020-03-09}}</ref>

==Turkish retaliation==
According to the Turkish [[Ministry of National Defense (Turkey)|Ministry of National Defense]], Turkey responded to the airstrikes and neutralized 329 Syrian government troops and destroyed five [[Military helicopter|helicopters]], 23 [[Tank|tanks]], 10 [[Armored fighting vehicle|armored vehicles]] 23 [[Artillery|artillery]] and [[Howitzer|howitzers]], five ammunition trucks, one [[Buk missile system|SA-17]] and one [[Pantsir missile system|SA-22]] air defense systems, three ammunition depots, two inventory depots and one headquarter building belonging to the Syrian government,<ref>{{cite web |title=Bakan Akar: 200'ü aşkın rejim hedefi ağır ateş altına alındı |url=https://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/bakan-akardan-idlib-aciklamasi-200u-askin-rejim-hedefi-agir-ates-altina-alindi,awStSE9uBkygl8uGfj5JKQ |website=NTV |accessdate=28 February 2020}}</ref> which could not be corroborated.<ref>[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/turkish-soldiers-killed-air-raid-syria-idlib-200227211119672.html 33 Turkish soldiers killed in Syrian air raid in Idlib]</ref> A Syrian military official acknowledged their armored and technical vehicles were heavily targeted and that their northwestern Syria arsenal suffered significant destruction.<ref>[https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/turkish-military-carries-out-massive-attack-against-syrian-army/ Turkish military carries out massive attack against Syrian Army]</ref> The SOHR reported that 170 Syrian soldiers and 27 other allied foreign fighters were killed by Turkish drone and artillery attacks between 28 February and 5 March.<ref>[https://www.france24.com/en/20200303-syrian-pilot-killed-as-turkey-downs-warplane-monitor Syrian pilot killed as Turkey downs warplane: monitor]</ref><ref>[http://www.syriahr.com/?p=367176 خلال أقل من 50 يوم.. مليون و150 ألف نازح.. و2640 شخص استشهدوا وقضوا وقتلوا في حلب وحماة وإدلب.. و276 منطقة باتت بيد “النظام السوري”]</ref> Syrian government fire killed seven Turkish soldiers and injured 21 more.<ref>[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] [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]</ref><ref>[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] [http://www.syriahr.com/?p=366756 قتلى وجرحى في صفوف القوات التركية بقصف مدفعي لقوات النظام على ريف إدلب]</ref><ref>[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] [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] [http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=156343 Turkish forces resume bombarding regime positions, while regime forces attempt to advance further northwest of Saraqeb]</ref><ref>[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] [http://www.syriahr.com/?p=367235 قُبيل دخول وقف إطلاق النار حيز التنفيذ.. مقتل جنديين تركيين في قصف مدفعي لقوات النظام واستمرار الغارات الروسية على ريف إدلب ]</ref>

[[Fighter aircraft]], [[Unmanned combat aerial vehicle|combat drones]] and ground fire were used in the retaliation according to the Turkish Ministry of Defense.<ref>{{cite news |title=329 rejim askeri etkisiz hale getirildi |url=https://www.trthaber.com/haber/gundem/329-rejim-askeri-etkisiz-hale-getirildi-463736.html |accessdate=28 February 2020 |agency=Anadolu Agency |publisher=TRT Haber |date=28 February 2020}}</ref> According to Turkish sources, Turkish combat drones entered Syrian airspace while [[Turkish Air Force]] [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16 fighter jets]] launched long range [[Precision-guided munition|precision-guided munitions]] without entering Syrian airspace.<ref>{{cite news |title=Son dakika İdlib'de rejim unsurlarına ağır darbe! Türk savaş uçakları hava sahası engelini böyle aştı... |url=https://www.milliyet.com.tr/gundem/son-dakika-idlibde-rejim-unsurlarina-agir-darbe-turk-savas-ucaklari-hava-sahasi-engelini-boyle-asti-6155064 |accessdate=28 February 2020 |publisher=Milliyet}}</ref>

Turkey also deployed [[MIM-23 Hawk]] [[surface-to-air missile]]s to its [[Syria–Turkey border|border with Syria]] the following day.<ref>{{cite news |title=Türkiye'nin HAWK hava savunma sistemleri yönünü Suriye'ye çevrildi |url=https://www.star.com.tr/savunma/turkiyenin-hawk-hava-savunma-sistemleri-yonunu-suriyeye-cevrildi-haber-1518798/ |accessdate=28 February 2020 |publisher=Star |date=28 February 2020}}</ref>

==Reactions==
Protests against Russia occurred at the Russian Consulate in Istanbul the day following the strikes.<ref name = "NYT1"/> The Turkish cabinet had an emergency meeting concerning the airstrikes. The Turkish government then threatened retaliation against the Syrian government for the strikes, and opened up its borders for Syrian refugees to enter into mainland Europe. In addition, the Turkish Foreign Minister [[Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu]] spoke with the Secretary General of NATO, [[Jens Stoltenberg]], concerning the incident.<ref name = "CNN1"/>

On 29 February 2020, the [[Greece|Greek]] delegation to NATO blocked the issuance of a joint declaration intended to support Turkey regarding its military operation in Syria. According to Kathimerini daily, the reason for the veto was because the United States, United Kingdom, France and Germany denied the Greek demand to add a paragraph, regarding the issue of refugee and migrant influx from Turkey to Greece.<ref>[https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/02/29/greece-vetoed-nato-communique-intended-to-support-turkey/ Greece Vetoed NATO Communique Intended to Support Turkey]</ref><ref>[https://www.tert.am/en/news/2020/02/29/idlib/3223514 Greece 'vetoes NATO statement' on support for Turkey amid Syria escalation]</ref>

On 2 March 2020, the U.S. [[Secretary of Defence]] [[Mark Esper]] denied US air support for Turkey in Idlib, Syria. The Chairman of the US Joint Staffs General [[Mark Milley]] stated that they dont “have clear" intelligence of who was flying the planes that carried out the strike.<ref>[https://ahvalnews.com/turkey-syria/pentagon-chief-says-no-us-air-support-turkey-idlib-live-blog Pentagon chief says no U.S. air support for Turkey in Idlib - live blog]</ref>

==References==

{{Reflist
|refs =
<ref name = "NYT1">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/27/world/middleeast/russia-turkey-syria-war-strikes.html?smtyp=cur&smid=tw-nytimes |title=Airstrike Hits Turkish Forces in Syria, Raising Fears of Escalation |last=Gall |first=Carlotta |date= 27 Feb 2020|website= The New York Times|publisher= [[The New York Times]]|access-date= 27 Feb 2020}}</ref>
<ref name = "CNN1">{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/27/middleeast/turkish-soldiers-killed-syria/index.html |title=At least 29 Turkish soldiers killed in an air attack by Syrian regime, Turkish governor says |last=Tuysuz |first=Gul |last2= Sariyuce |first2= Isil |date= 27 Feb 2020|website= CNN|publisher= [[CNN]]|access-date= 27 Feb 2020}}</ref><ref name = "allknown">{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200227-erdogan-calls-emergency-meeting-after-deadly-attack-on-turkish-troops-in-syria |website = France 24 |publisher = France 24|title = Turkey hits 'all known' Syrian govt positions after soldiers killed in Idlib|date=28 Feb 2020}}</ref>
}}

{{Syrian Civil War}}

[[Category:Airstrikes during the Syrian Civil War]]
[[Category:2020 in Syria]]
[[Category:Syrian Air Force involvement in the Syrian Civil War]]
[[Category:Military operations of the Syrian Civil War involving Turkey]]
[[Category:Military operations of the Syrian Civil War in 2020]]
[[Category:Idlib Governorate in the Syrian Civil War]]
[[Category:Turkish involvement in the Syrian Civil War]]