Turkey Downs Syrian Fighter Jet in Northwest Idlib

[TomSea]

Turkey Downs Syrian Fighter Jet in Northwest Idlib
By Associated Press
March 03, 2020 06:44 AM

ANKARA - Turkey shot down a Syrian fighter jet in Syria's Idlib province Tuesday, marking the third such incident in as many days, as steady clashes between the two national armies appeared to signal a new stage in the nine-year old war.

The Turkish Defense Ministry announced on Twitter that the Turkish military downed a L-39 warplane belonging to Syrian government forces. Syrian state-run television reported that Turkish forces targeted a warplane as it was carrying out operations against "terrorist groups" in the rebel-held Idlib region. It was not immediately clear what happened to the plane's crew.

Turkey has sent thousands of troops into Idlib to support the opposition fighters holed up there, but hasn't been able to roll back the government's advance.

Read more at: https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/turkey-downs-syrian-fighter-jet-northwest-idlib

[corbe]

   How much longer is Putin gonna allow Erdogan to poke him and Assad?

[TomSea]

As of now, it appears Turkey has some US support for what they are doing, in Syria at least:

 US’ NATO envoy hints at American support for Turkey against Assad regime
by DAILY SABAH   ISTANBUL Politics
Feb 28, 2020


U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison said early Friday that everything is on the table regarding possible American support for Turkey after 33 Turkish soldiers were killed by the Assad regime in Syria’s war-ravaged Idlib.

“What about – is there more – a larger role for the U.S. to come to Turkey’s defense in northwest Syria? Is there a larger role that the U.S. should or could be playing now?” the reporter asked.

“Of course everything is on the table. This is a new development. This is a big development, and our alliance is with Turkey. It is not with Russia; it is with Turkey,” she said.

Read more at: https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/us-nato-envoy-hints-at-american-support-for-turkey-against-assad-regime

As for this refugee thing,  some of this seems to be bickering within the European community, it really does look like the refugee problem out of Idlib is integral to all of this.

@corbe

All appears that the Russians and Assad regime have been bombing the daylights out of the civilian population. Turkey has stepped up in all of this but not until 33 soldiers or so, were massacred by bombing by the Regime/Russians

[MeganC]

Elsewhere on the web I see that the two SU-24 planes that Turkey shot down were:

1. Well inside Syrian airspace.

2. Defending their airspace.

3. Sporting Russian markings and Russian crews...meaning they were Russian.

I say let the Russians deal with the Turks and let's have the US put an end to Obama's War against Syria.

[TomSea]

If one wonders why there are so many refugees, look to Damascus.

BTW, a lot of Christians in parts of Syria... so, yes, I think we had some obligations there, not to just abandon.

Oh, and terrorists used Syria to spring attacks on US and other coalition forces,  Bush almost invaded Syria.

[TomSea]

Mike Doran, worked for Bush 43, pretty savvy on the Middle East and Turkey, though, I don't care for Turkey but it doesn't mean they are always wrong. Mike is a bit of a defender of them. Difficult situation.  Is in a think tank now, Hudson Institute.

https://twitter.com/Doranimated