Skip to main content

Who is behind recent attacks against Turkish presence in Idlib?

Unknown parties have carried out several operations against some of the Turkish army outposts in Idlib, with some accusing Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and others pointing the finger at Islamic State or regime cells.
Turkey-backed Syrian rebels take part in a military exercise in Ghandoura, in the northeastern countryside of Syria's Aleppo province, on January 14, 2021. (Photo by AAREF WATAD / AFP) (Photo by AAREF WATAD/AFP via Getty Images)

IDLIB, Syria — A group that goes by the name Ansar Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Brigade claimed responsibility for an attack on a Turkish army post in the western countryside of Aleppo on Jan. 16.

The group published a statement on social media, saying that it had targeted, with thermal snipers, one of the “main Turkish army bases” stationed in the village of Batbu, in western Aleppo, on the evening of Jan. 16. According to the statement, three Turkish soldiers were injured in the operation.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.