Operation Euphrates Shield

The Turkish military launched Operation Spring Shield in Idlib in response to the Assad regime attack on Feb. 27, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on March 1.

The defense minister noted that the only goal of the operation is self-defense against the Assad regime soldiers and units that attack Turkish troops in the area.

Turkey's army chief Yaşar Güler on Feb. 28 held a phone conversation with his U.S. counterpart Gen. Mark Milley, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) said.

The two discussed recent developments, the TSK said in a tweet, without giving further details.

The presidents of Turkey and Russia spoke by phone Friday to try to defuse tensions that rose significantly in Syria after 33 Turkish troops were killed in a Syrian government airstrike, and a new wave of refugees and migrants headed for the Greek border by land and sea after Turkey said it would no longer hold them back.

He stressed that the Alliance supports Turkey.

Turkey has threatened to unleash a flood of refugees on Europe after at least 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in Idlib in Syria in an air strike on Thursday night.

Turkish security forces neutralized seven PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Syria, the Defense Ministry said on Feb. 26. 

The terrorists were trying to infiltrate into the area of "Operation Euphrates Shield," Turkey's anti-terror offensive in northern Syria, from the city of Manbij, the ministry said in a tweet.

The United States supports Turkey's "legitimate interests" in Syria's last rebel bastion of Idlib, and its presence in the province, James Jeffrey, the U.S. special envoy for Syria engagement and fight against ISIL, has said.

In an interview with private broadcaster NTV, Jeffrey said that the U.S. supports Turkey's interests in Idlib.

"We support Turkey's presence," he added.

Turkish and U.S. officials met on Feb. 12 in the capital Ankara to discuss the latest developments in northwestern Syria.

Deputy Defense Minister Yunus Emre Karaosmanoğlu, U.S. special envoy for Syria James Jeffrey and U.S. ambassador to Turkey Michael Satterfield exchanged views on regional security issues, especially the situation in Idlib province.

Turkey has made alternative plans for northwestern Syria's Idlib province if the deal made with Russia for maintaining the cease-fire in the province continues to be violated, and Ankara has conveyed this message several times to its partners, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has said.

Turkey will use its right of self-defense in the strongest manner if Turkey faces a new attack in Syria, the Defense Ministry said on Feb. 8.

"In the event of a new attack, the proper response will be given in the strongest manner based on the right of self-defense," the ministry said in a statement.