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Turkish, Russian Leaders Talk as Fighting Continues in Syria

Dorian Jones

   ISTANBUL - Fears of an escalating conflict in Syria grew Friday as
   Turkish forces pounded Syria's military in retaliation for the killing
   of 33 Turkish soldiers. Meanwhile, Russia's and Turkey's presidents
   spoke, as Ankara threatens to launch even more assaults on
   Russian-backed Syrian forces.

   "Turkish forces destroyed five Syrian regime choppers, 23 tanks, 10
   armored vehicles, 23 howitzers, five ammunition trucks -- as well as
   three ammunition depots, two equipment depots, a headquarters, and 309
   regime troops," Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told reporters
   close to the Syrian-Turkish border.

   Ankara's assault came in retaliation for an airstrike Turkey blamed on
   Syrian forces that killed 33 Turkish soldiers in Syria's Idlib province
   on Thursday.

   The deadly airstrike followed Turkish forces backing Syrian rebels in
   an attack to recapture the strategically important town of Saraqeb.
   Idlib is the last rebel enclave, which Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
   is vowing to retake.
   

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