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#REDIRECT [[Northwestern Syria offensive (April–August 2019)]] {{R from merge}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = 2019 Syrian-Turkish clashes
| partof = the [[Northwestern Syria offensive (April 2019–present)]] of the [[Syrian Civil War]]
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| date = 13-16 June 2019
| place = [[Idlib Governorate|Idlib]] and [[Hama Governorate|Hama Governorates]], [[Syria]]
| status = Indecisive
| combatant1 = {{flag|Syria}}<br>'''Supported by:'''<br>{{flag|Russia}}
| combatant2 = {{flag|Turkey}}
| commander1 =
| commander2 =
| units1 = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces.svg}} [[Syrian Arab Armed Forces]]
*{{flagicon image|Flag_of_the_Syrian_Arab_Army.svg}} [[Syrian Arab Army]]
| units2 = [[Turkish Armed Forces]]
*{{flagicon image|Flag of Turkish Land Forces Command.svg}} [[Turkish Land Forces]]
| strength1 =
| strength2 =
| casualties1 = Unknown<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-turkey/attacks-on-turkish-observation-post-in-syrias-idlib-kills-soldier-ministry-idUSKCN1TS32A Attacks on Turkish observation post in Syria's Idlib kill soldier: ministry]</ref>
| casualties2 = 1 killed<br>3 injured
| casualties3 =
| notes =
| campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Syrian Civil War}}
}}
The '''2019 Syrian-Turkish clashes''' were an armed military confrontation between the [[Syrian armed forces]] and the [[Turkish army]] during an [[Northwestern Syria offensive (April 2019–present)|offensive]] launched by the Syrian government in April 2019.
==Timeline==
On 13 June 2019, during an ongoing [[Northwestern Syria offensive (April 2019–present)|offensive]] by the Syrian government against rebels in [[Idlib Governorate|Idlib]] and [[Hama Governorate|Hama]], the Turkish military reported that its [[Turkish military operation in Idlib Governorate|observation]] forces stationed in the area as part of [[Idlib demilitarization (2018–present)|demilitarization]] agreement between [[Russia]], [[Turkey]] and [[Iran]] came under fire from pro-government forces.
The Turkish minister of defense stated that in the attack, the Syrian military fired 35 mortar shells and that 3 Turkish soldiers were injured as a result. Afterwards the Russian government claimed that a cease-fire had been established between Turkey, Russia, the rebels and the Syrian government, however the rebels and Turkish government denied a cease-fire had been implemented.<ref>https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/06/turkey-syrian-forces-hit-observation-tower-syria-idlib-190613075813748.html
</ref>
Following the incidents Turkey's foreign minister [[Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu]] stated the attacks were intentional, the Turkish government also stated the Turkish military would retaliate to any attacks on their positions in Syria.<ref>http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-says-syrian-government-forces-attacked-its-observation-point-144148</ref>
After the response from the Turkish government and the confrontation with the Syrian military, the [[Russia]] denied the Syrian government was involved in the attacks, blaming the Syrian rebels instead calling them "terrorists", and accused the rebels of attacking Turkish positions, the Russian government also claimed that the Turkish government had asked the Russian military for help in protecting Turkish forces in Idlib and that the Turkish government had given the coordinates of rebel positions to the Russian military, which was denied by Turkey.<ref>https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-syria-security-northwest-russia-idUKKCN1TE1QG</ref><ref>https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/turkey-asks-russia-for-help-after-its-troops-come-under-heavy-fire-in-idlib/</ref>
On 14 June, following continued standoffs between Turkey and Syria, the Turkish military deployed reinforcements to its positions in Idlib.<ref>https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/turkey-retaliates-against-regime-attack-in-syrias-idlib/1505501#</ref>
On 16 June, the Turkish government claimed that the Syrian military had continued to attack Turkish positions, Turkey retaliated by firing artillery at Syrian government forces.<ref>https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/turkey-retaliates-against-regime-attack-in-syrias-idlib/1505501</ref><ref>https://in.reuters.com/article/syria-security-turkey-idINKCN1TH05N</ref>
On 19 August, the Syrian Army, began its assault on [[Khan Shaykhun]],a rebel stronghold in [[Idlib Governorate]]. A 28-vehicle Turkish military convoy headed towards Khan Shaykhun through the M5 highway was targeted by Syrian warplanes multiple times. The airstrikes resulted in casualties among the rebel forces that were accompanying the convoy, reportedly killing a [[Faylaq al-Sham]] commander.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Step_Agency/status/1163347182034010112|title=الطيران الحربي يستهدف السيارات المرافقة للرتل التركي بالرشاشات في معرة النعمان على الطريق الدولي بريف #إدلب مما أدى لمقتل عنصر من قوات المعارضة.|last=Agency|first=Step News|date=2019-08-19|website=@Step_Agency|language=ar|access-date=2019-08-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/air-strike-hit-near-turkish-military-convoy-idlib|title=Syrian government air strikes intercept Turkish military convoy in Idlib|website=Middle East Eye|language=en|access-date=2019-08-19}}</ref> The convoy was halted as a result of the airstrikes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldonline.com/news/nation-world/world/article234138267.html|title=Airstrikes halt Turkish convoy on road in Syria|last=|first=|date=19 August 2019|website=The Herald|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.qasioun-news.com/news/show/191197/%20/%3E|title=Video - The Turkish convoy advance is still suspended due to regime and Russian shelling|website=www.qasioun-news.com|language=en|access-date=2019-08-19}}</ref> The Turkish Defence ministry condemned the airstrike, stating that they viewed it as a violation of [[Idlib demilitarization (2018–present)|Russian-Turkish memorandum]] and that the convoy had only been transporting supplies to the [[Turkish military operation in Idlib Governorate|Turkish observation posts in Idlib]]. Syria rejected the Turkish statement, claiming that the convoy had been carrying weapons and ammunition bound for various rebel groups engaged in battle with the government.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rt.com/news/466813-syria-airstrike-turkish-convoy/|title=Turkey fuming after Syrian airstrike on convoy in Islamist-held Idlib province|website=RT International|language=en|access-date=2019-08-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-49394759|title='Three killed' in Syrian strike on Turkish convoy|date=2019-08-19|access-date=2019-08-19|language=en-GB}}</ref>
==See also==
*[[2019 Tell Rifaat clashes]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
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