Turkey hits IS targets over soldier deaths

It was the first time Turkey had blamed the Assad regime – which is given military support by Russian Federation – for a deadly strike on its troops during Ankara’s three month campaign inside Syria. The rebels were transferred to a hospital in Turkey’s border province of Kilis on suspicion of chemical poisoning after complaining of constant sickness and severe headaches, Hurriyet newspaper reported on its website. Elsewhere, they have held back and the spearhead role has been taken by Syrian rebels.

Five Turkish soldiers have been killed during the Euphrates Shield Operation in northern Syria over the course of 24 hours, bringing to 17 the total number of Turkish casualties in the operation.

Do they know who is responsible?

But in a statement Thursday the Turkish military said the Syrian air force was responsible.

Turkish fighter jets have carried out strikes against ISIL positions near Syria’s Al-Bab, following the death of a Turkish soldier in clashes with the group in the same area, according to the country’s military.

“If confirmed, this could be a major escalation because it would be the first time that Turkish troops have been killed in a Syrian air strike”, said Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid, reporting from Gaziantep on the Turkish side of the Turkish-Syrian border.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Ankara would retaliate.

Most were killed by ISIL but one was killed in an attack blamed on the YPG.

The attack targeted Turkey-backed rebels who have been besieging the Islamic State-controlled town of al-Bab for days.

“Turkey has been fighting against ISIL”.

Rebels in east Aleppo have agreed to a U.N. plan for aid delivery and medical evacuations, but the United Nations is awaiting a green light from Russian Federation and the Syrian government, the U.N. said on Thursday.

The Turkish military also said a clash with Daesh terrorists had left one opposition fighter dead and 14 others injured.

Security and hospital sources in Turkey also said ISIS militants were behind the attack.

This prompted a lengthy diplomatic rift between Moscow and Ankara, which only ended in August.

The operation was dubbed the Shield of the Euphrates.

It was launched three months ago. On Friday, Al Akhbar, a news site linked to Hezbollah, an Assad ally in the region, said that al Bab represents a “red line” which Ankara should not cross.