ANKARA - "This attack occurred even though the locations of our troops had been coordinated with Russian officials in the field," Minister Akar has said.

 

Yesterday's attack on Turkey's troops in Syria's Idlib took place although the location of our forces was known by Russia, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has said. 

 

"This attack occurred even though the locations of our troops had been coordinated with Russian officials in the field," Akar told reporters in Hatay, a southern province bordering Syria.

 

His remarks came in the wake of an airstrike on the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), claiming the lives of at least 33 soldiers and injuring dozens in the Idlib province, just across Turkey's southern border.

 

Saying that Turkey's operations in Syria will continue, Akar noted that "Despite warnings after the first strike, the Syrian regime unfortunately continued its attacks, even targeting ambulances."

 

There were no armed groups around the troops during the deadly Assad regime attack, he stressed, contradicting an earlier statement by Russia's Defense Ministry.

 

In retaliation, more than 200 targets in Idlib were pounded from the ground and air, Akar said, and continued:

 

"Turkish forces destroyed five Syrian regime choppers, 23 tanks, 10 armored vehicles, 23 howitzers, five ammunition trucks, a SA-17, a SA-22 air defense system as well as three ammunition depots, two equipment depots, a headquarters and 309 regime troops."