Turkey sends reinforcements to Idlib, Russia kills 17 HTS militants
IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – Turkish forces sent on Tuesday evening military convoys included logistical and military equipment to the de-escalation zone in northwestern Syria, amid a Russian announcement of the killing of 17 militants of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front) in raids carried out by Russian fighter jets on the HTS headquarters in Idlib.
Two military convoys of the Turkish forces, including more than 50 military and logistical vehicles and armored vehicles, entered through the Kafr Lossin border crossing, north of Idlib, into Syrian territory. The vehicles headed to the Turkish military posts in the southern countryside of Idlib, a military source told North Press.
The convoys included more than 25 armored vehicles with more than 10 trucks carrying tanks and heavy artillery, in addition to ammunition.
The Turkish reinforcements coincided with air raids launched by Russian fighter jets on the HTS hideouts on the outskirts of the village of Ain Shib, west of Idlib, and the village of Musaybin in Jabal al-Arbaeen area, south of Idlib, using highly explosive missiles.
The raids targeted a former water pumping station in the village of Ain Shib which resulted in the killing of two civilians and injuring five others, including children and women, the source added.
On Tuesday, the Russian warplanes launched airstrikes on a site belonging to the HTS on the outskirts of the villages of Batenta and al-Sheikh Bahr, west of Idlib, injuring 15 individuals, including HTS militants.