Turkish state allied gang groups launched an extensive attack against Russian and Syrian forces this morning in southern Idlib.

A visit to Moscow was arranged in haste after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s defeat in Khan Sheikhoun and Turkish soldiers being surrounded in Morek. The attack that launched before the visit resulted in many casualties from both sides.

Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) led by Al Nusra and other groups have launched an attack along the Ebu Dali, Selumiye, Ceduiye, Til Meriq and Temane line, killing at least 20 regime soldiers.

AT LEAST 51 DEAD

Gangs have taken over four villages in the attacks. As they use car bombs, grad missiles and heavy weapons, the regime and Russian jets continuously bomb the area.

Meanwhile, gang-run social media accounts claimed that regime jets hit their own soldiers by accident four times. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) announced 23 regime fighters and 20 gang members dead. In total, on both sides there are at least 51 casualties but the detailed tally is not known yet. The same source said 12 civilians were killed in Russian airstrikes on Monday.

ATTACK AFTER REINFORCEMENTS

The gang attack came after new reinforcements were sent to the His town to the south of Maaret Numan district where the Turkish state’s convoys that had been hit by Russian forces were stationed.

The regime and Russian forces launched an operation against Khan Sheikhoun on August 5 when the ceasefire was broken, and achieved control on August 20.

ERDOGAN MEETS WITH PUTIN

The reinforcement convoy the Turkish state sent the gangs had been hit by the regime and Russian forces. Turkish state’s observation point no.9 was left surrounded by regime forces in Morek to the south of Khan Sheikhoun.

Erdogan then requested an appointment from Putin, and the two leaders are to meet today in Moscow to discuss Idlib.

Putin had previously issued a statement in Italy and said the Syrian regime had Russia’s “full support” in the operation. Kremlin Spokesperson Dmirtriy Peskov said on Tuesday that Russia “understands Turkey’s concerns but has concerns of its own due to the increased gang attacks”.