Turkish Observation Post hit by Syrian Government Forces artillery
Idlib – North-Press Agency
The Syrian government forces stationed at the Karim checkpoint, targeted the Turkish observation post in the village of Shir-Maghar in the western countryside of Hama on Thursday, with several artillery shells and missiles caused eruption of fire in the vicinity and inside the post.
As a convoy of Turkish military vehicles and heavy cannons entered the northern borders today morning, the convoy was divided into two parts, the first one headed toward the Turkish observation post in Morek, while the second part went towards the Turkish observation post at Shir-Maghar.
After the arrival of the convoy to the post of Shir-Maghar and unloaded its cargo inside the post, shells fell in the vicinity and inside the Turkish post causing fire to the agricultural fields without wounding any Turkish soldiers.
The Syrian government’s provocations have been repeated recently against the Turkish observation posts in and around Idlib governorate including the countryside of the neighboring governorates, as the Syrian government shelled the posts more than once.
While Turkey deliberately intensified and strengthened its military presence at those posts, sending more special forces and equipment to the border with Syria and putting them in full readiness.
On June 15, the Turkish Defense Ministry reinforced the post of Shir-Maghar with more troops and military vehicles to secure the post, as it brought rocket launchers for the first time, among the reinforcements that have arrived at Shir-Maghar last Monday.
The Turkish observation post in Shir-Maghar is considered the closest Turkish post to the ongoing battles that take place between the Syrian government forces and the opposition armed groups, northern Hama.
On the other hand, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu have recently confirmed that Turkey will no longer hesitate to respond firmly to any attack on the Turkish military posts in northern Syria.
Erdogan said earlier at a press conference at the Ankara Esenboga Airport, “The Syrian regime acts mercilessly in Idlib and the 12 Turkish observation posts there are occasionally harassed.”