Escalation in Idlib: Turkish air defense systems are preparing to shoot down Russian planes
In the Syrian province of Idlib, the situation is again escalating, threatening a military clash between the Russian and Turkish military.
This was reported by Nezavisimaya Gazeta, as reported by a PolitNavigator correspondent.
It is noted that photographs have appeared of the transfer of Atilgan air defense systems to Idlib, which are capable of destroying not only Russian drones, but in the future also aircraft. Also, according to unconfirmed information, Russian and Syrian planes attacked the Turkestan Islamic Party and Harras al-Din groups.
“Turkey has not fully implemented the March agreements between Moscow and Ankara on the creation of a 6 km wide security corridor north and south of the M4 highway in the north-west of the Arab Republic. The militants who control this area and other northern and central provinces refuse to comply with the truce and the Russian-Turkish agreements, which they have notified other opposition forces,” the publication writes.
As a result, all this results in clashes between government troops and Turkish-backed militants.
“Turkish Atilgan air defense systems, which, judging by videos on social networks, are in positions in Idlib, will be there by the way if Damascus’ air raids resume. This is apparently what Turkish analysts think. Active combat operation of the Atilgan air defense system cannot be ruled out, since Syrian aviation has strengthened. As the Russian Embassy in Syria reported, Moscow has supplied Damascus with a new batch of MiG-29 fighters. The Turkish troops will have no choice but to try to shoot down these MiGs,” the newspaper writes.
Orientalist Andrei Ontikov considers escalation possible, according to whom Ankara’s actions “can be traced as an attempt to put pressure on Russia.”
“Turkey will not like the continuation of clearing Idlib of armed groups. It is not ready to lose control over the territory, where there is a Turkization of the population and an influx of militants. If Syria eliminates these militants, the question of Turkey's withdrawal from the northwestern provinces of the Syrian Arab Republic will arise. Therefore, an escalation of the situation in this region by the Turks is really possible,” Ontikov said.
And military expert Colonel Shamil Gareev believes that Turkey is only pretending to be friends with Moscow.
“And we must not forget that she is an active member of NATO,” says Gareev.
He recalled that “last week, Turkish KC-135R Stratotanker refueling aircraft performed mid-air refueling of US Air Force B-1B Lancer strategic bombers, which were making an unfriendly flight over the Black Sea in close proximity to the Russian borders.”
“Turkish strike air forces destroyed Russian-made air defense systems from our allies in Syria and Libya. And here we need to take a good look at whether Moscow continues to be as close friends with Ankara as is the case now,” the military expert concluded.
English version :: Read in English : Escalation in Idlib: Turkish air defense systems are preparing to shoot down Russian aircraft