Opposition fighters making headway around strategic town of Saraqeb, backed by Turkish commandos and artillery (Photo source MEE) By Harun al-Aswad, Ragip Soylu Two Turkish soldiers were killed and five more wounded by a pro-Syrian government forces air strike in northwestern Syria, Ankara’s defence ministry said on Thursday, as fighting heated up around the Idlib province town … Continue reading Two Turkish soldiers killed as Syrian rebels stage assault on Idlib’s Neirab
Covert western backing for Syrian opposition-aligned media was required to counter state media and Russian and Iranian influence, journalists say, but some admit feeling duped (Photo source AFP) By Harun al-Aswad in Istanbul Syrian opposition-aligned journalists and activists have defended their involvement in media projects covertly backed by western governments, telling Middle East Eye that they were heavily reliant … Continue reading Syrian activists say pro-rebel propaganda campaign may have been counterproductive
Turkish officials in Moscow seeking ceasefire, as Damascus vows to push on with offensive (Photo source MEE) By Harun al-Aswad Relentless bombing by the Syrian government and Russian forces has targeted towns, villages and two hospitals in northwest Syria, as Turkish officials in Moscow desperately seek a ceasefire. Territory in the Idlib and Aleppo countrysides is falling … Continue reading Pro-Assad forces bomb hospitals in rural Aleppo as clashes intensify
Footage posted online showed a Syrian helicopter falling from the sky By Areeb Ullah, Ragip Soylu, Harun al-Aswad Syrian rebels shot down a government helicopter on Friday, the second in a week, as thousands continue to be displaced in the country's northern Idlib province under bombardment from the forces of President Bashar al-Assad. Activists confirmed to Middle East Eye that the … Continue reading Syrian rebels shoot down second government helicopter in a week
Pro-Assad assault on opposition-held province has displaced nearly 700,000 people, UN says By Harun al-Aswad, Ragip Soylu in Hatay, Turkey Five Turkish soldiers were killed by Syrian government shelling on a military post in Idlib province's Taftanaz on Monday, as a planned counteroffensive by Turkey-backed rebels appeared to stall. Another five soldiers were wounded, Turkey's defence ministry said in a statement. The … Continue reading Syrian government shelling kills five Turkish soldiers as Idlib clashes intensify