At least 33 Turkish soldiers have been killed in an air strike by “[Syian] regime forces” in north-western Syria, according to a Turkish official.
More were injured in the serious escalation of the conflict between Turkish and Russian-backed Syrian forces. It is believed the deaths and injuries followed a precision strike on a two-storey building in the village of Balioun.
Turkey has retaliated against Syrian troops government targets. “All known targets of the regime have come and will continue to come under fire from the air and ground,” said the country’s communications director, Fahrettin Altu.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“We urge the international community to fulfill its responsibilities” to stop the regime’s “crimes against humanity”, he said. “We cannot stand by and watch as past events in Rwanda, and Bosnia and Herzegovina are repeated today in Idlib.”
Syrian forces, supported by Moscow, are trying to recapture Idlib from rebels who are backed by Turkish soldiers.
There is disagreement over who was responsible for the attack. Turkish officials have blamed the Syrian regime but sources in Idlib and unverified footage of the strike suggested it had been carried out by the Russian air force. Moscow has denied direct involvement.
The United Nations called for urgent action in north-west Syria, warning that “the risk of greater escalation grows by the hour.”
Turkey and Russia agreed a de-escalation deal for Idlib in 2017, but the agreement has been repeatedly violated.
Hundreds of thousands of people have fled the last opposition-held territory in Syria in the last two months in the wake of an air campaign and ground offensive by the Syrian regime and its Russian backers.
Meanwhile, Turkey says it will no longer stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe. “We have decided, effectively immediately, not to stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe by land or sea,” an unnamed official told Reuters.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
-
Jaguar Land Rover’s cyber bailoutTalking Point Should the government do more to protect business from the ‘cyber shockwave’?
-
Russia: already at war with Europe?Talking Point As Kremlin begins ‘cranking up attacks’ on Ukraine’s European allies, questions about future action remain unanswered
-
Crossword: October 5, 2025The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
Inside Syria’s al-Hol campUnder the radar Aid cuts mean authorities face ‘uphill struggle’ to maintain security
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
Rubio says US brokered end to Syria conflictSpeed Read Syria's defense ministry was targeted in Israeli attacks on the capital
-
Syria's returning refugeesThe Explainer Thousands of Syrian refugees are going back to their homeland but conditions there remain extremely challenging
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
