In anticipation of the imminent arrival of refugees from Idlib, Turkish police, coast guard and border security officials have been ordered to stand down on refugees’ land and sea crossings, Turkish officials told Reuters.

The same official said Turkey will no longer stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe. Late on Thursday President Tayyip Erdogan chaired an emergency meeting.

It is noteworthy that the announcement came after the heavy blow suffered by the Turkish army in Idlib. Dozens of Turkish soldiers are reported dead following airstrikes carried out by Syria and Russia.