Turkish defense chief holds talks at NATO amid Idlib tensions

Scores of Syrian regime elements were "neutralized" on Feb. 12 in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, the Turkish Defense Ministry has said.

"According to information conveyed by several sources in Idlib region, it has been learned that 55 regime elements were neutralized today," said the statement.

Turkish authorities often use the term "neutralized" to imply those in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

In the meantime, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar on Feb. 12 held talks with his U.S. counterpart Mark Esper on Syria and Iraq, on the sidelines of NATO defense ministers' meeting in Brussels.

The ministers exchanged views on security and defense issues regarding Syria and Iraq, especially Idlib, according to state-run Anadolu Agency.

The defense chiefs discussed the importance of more "concrete steps" by both the U.S. and the alliance in Idlib.

Prior to the NATO defense ministers' session, Akar expressed content with statements by U.S. officials regarding the latest developments in Idlib. Turkey is especially continuing its fight against FETÖ - the group behind the 2016 defeated coup in Turkey - the YPG and ISIL along with other terror groups, Akar said.

Akar and Esper's talks came amid heightened tensions between Ankara and Moscow regarding the current sitation in Idlib.

Ankara and Damascus came face to face in Idlib when on Feb. 3 eight Turkish soldiers and civilian personnel were killed in the Syrian province in a regime shelling.

The fighting has led Turkey to send hundreds of military vehicles and troops into Idlib province in the past week, bringing both countries' forces into direct confrontation, a rarity in the Syrian conflict.

The exchange of fire came for a second round...