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The [[Syrian Government]] has preferred to work with groups vehemently opposed by Turkey, such as the [[Syrian Democratic Forces]] (SDF), in an attempt to limit Turkish influence in Syria. Pro-government forces fought on the side of the SDF during the [[Turkish military operation in Afrin]], while the Syrian Army fought alongside the SDF against Turkey and the TFSA during the [[2019 Tell Rifaat clashes]].
During Fall of 2018, [[2018 Idlib demilitarization|a demilitarization deal]] was struck between Turkey and the various rebel groups on one hand, and Russia, Iran and Syria on the other. The deal set out high goals, that included the full withdrawal of groups deemed 'radical' from the demilitarized zone, a withdrawal of rebel heavy weapons, reopening of Syrian highways and other clauses. The demilitarization deal was badly implemented,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=111933|title=Syrian Civil War: What next for Syria’s last major rebel bastion?|last=|first=|date=|website=Syrian Observatory for Human Rights|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref> with Syria and Russia accusing Turkey and the rebel groups of not going trough with their end of the bargain.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-northwest-idUSKCN1SA0EG|title=Damascus presses Idlib attack, artillery hits Turkish position|date=2019-05-05|work=Reuters|access-date=2019-08-24|language=en}}</ref> In late April 2019, the Syrian Army launched [[Northwestern Syria offensive (April 2019–present)|a full-scale offensive]] against various rebel groups, after deeming them to be in violation of the demilitarization agreement. Turkey adamently opposed the offensive, but it took place regardless.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/turkey-asks-russia-to-halt-airstrikes-in-syria-s-idlib/1474794|title=Turkey asks Russia to halt airstrikes in Syria’s Idlib|website=www.aa.com.tr|access-date=2019-08-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/tosv2.html?vid=&uuid=342b5180-c6c2-11e9-8dc7-9bbd168288f1&url=L25ld3MvYXJ0aWNsZXMvMjAxOS0wNi0wMi90dXJrZXktcHJlc3Nlcy1ydXNzaWEtdG8tcmVzdHJhaW4tYXNzYWQtcy1hdHRhY2tzLW9uLWlkbGli|title=Turkey Presses Russia to Restrain Assad’s Attacks on Idlib|last=|first=|date=|website=Bloomberg|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2019-08-24}}</ref> Turkey had hoped that it's observation posts would deter government forces from attacking, but the [[Syrian Army]] advanced, often striking and later capturing territories in very close proximity to Turkish observation posts.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Özkizilcik|first=Ömer|date=2019-08-15|title=What Will Happen to Turkish Observation Posts in Idlib?|url=https://thenewturkey.org/what-will-happen-to-turkish-observation-posts-in-idlib|journal=The New Turkey|language=en}}</ref> This situation created the neccesary prerequisites for a confrontation between the Turkish and Syrian armed forces.
==Timeline==
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