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Syrian Government Claims to Capture More Ground in Idlib

Edward Yeranian

   CAIRO - As tensions continue to simmer between Turkey and Russia in the
   north of Syria, Ankara says another Turkish soldier was killed in the
   past 24 hours, bringing the total to 34 in the last several days.

   Turkey also is claiming to have killed large numbers of Syrian
   government forces and inflicted heavy material damage in retaliation.

   Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Russia to "get out of
   [Turkey's way in] Syria" and allow it to "deal with [President Bashar
   al-] Assad," in a speech to supporters Saturday. "Turkey," he said,
   "has entered Syria at the demand of the Syrian people and not at the
   demand of Assad."

   Erdogan added that Turkey has retaliated against Syrian forces for
   killing 34 of its soldiers:

   He claims that Turkish troops have killed more than 2,000 Syrian
   forces, destroyed 300 of their military vehicles and bombed a chemical
   weapons factory east of Aleppo.

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