PodcastChronology of one of the deadliest attacks on Turkish soldiers in the Republic's history
The deaths of at least 33 Turkish soldiers in the Syrian rebel-held province of Idlib came only hours after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan claimed that the tables were turning in Turkey's favor in Idlib on Feb. 27. In the meantime Russian and Turkish officials were holding meetings to break the impasse. Around 10 p.m. news broke on social media that a large number of Turkish soldiers were killed in an attack in Idlib. The official confirmation of the attack came at 11.50 p.m. from local governor of Hatay, however, in his first statement he said that nine Turkish soldiers were killed.
Duvar English
Following the deaths of at least 33 Turkish soldiers in the Syrian rebel-held province of Idlib, both the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Turkey's opposition parties have held meetings and made statements addressing the crisis, which Turkey blames on Syrian regime forces.
3 p.m. - Erdoğan claims 'tables turning in Turkey's favor'
The last statement made by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan prior to the major attack last night occurred at 3 p.m. on Feb. 27, when he announced that three Turkish soldiers had been killed but that Syrian regime forces has sustained major losses.
Erdoğan says situation in Idlib turning in Turkey's favor4 p.m. - Turkish, Russian defense officials meet
During Erdoğan's announcement, Russian and Turkish officials were holding meetings.
“The events have reached a certain point. Today or tomorrow the results will become clear. We will act accordingly,” said Defense Minister Hulusi Akar in a statement at 4 p.m. on Feb. 27.
Russia accuses Turkey of violating Sochi deal8 p.m. - Ankara urges Moscow to cease fire in Idlib
At 8 p.m., the state-run Anadolu Agency announced that Ankara told Moscow that it needed to ensure a ceasefire in Idlib.
Ankara noted the utmost importance of complying with the Sochi Treaty, Anadolu Agency also reported.
9 p.m. - U.S. promises Ankara help in Idlib
Akar spoke on the phone with his American counterpart, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, at 9:40 p.m.
According to Pentagon sources, Esper said that Washington was looking for a way to work together with Turkey regarding Idlib.
10 p.m. - Social media rumors Turkish soldiers killed, Presidency enters 6-hour meeting
Around 10 p.m. news broke on social media that a large number of Turkish soldiers were killed in an attack in Idlib.
Videos circulated on social media showing people nervously waiting outside of a hospital in the Turkish border town of Reyhanlı.
According to sources, following the attack, the Presidency's Office held a six-hour meeting that began at 10 p.m. on Thursday.
11 p.m. - Turkish news bypasses soldier deaths, boasts of Syrian death toll
Instead of commenting on the attack, at 11 p.m. a number of news outlets in Turkey simultaneously reported that 1709 Syrian regime forces had been killed within 17 days.
11.50 p.m. - First official statement counts nine soldiers dead
While the meeting at the presidency's office was ongoing, the governor of the border province of Hatay confirmed that Syrian regime forces had killed nine Turkish soldiers.
Feb. 28, 12.30 a.m. - Death toll rises to 22
Governor Rahmi Doğan later announced at 12:30 a.m. on Feb. 28 that the number of Turkish casualties had increased to 22.
2 a.m. - Doğan updated the figure to 29 soldiers dead while CHP spokesman Faik Öztrak said that a closed meeting needed to be held in parliament.
3.45 a.m. - Doğan said that in fact 33 Turkish soldiers had been killed.
11.30 a.m. - Social media disabled in Turkey
Starting around 11:30 a.m., access to Twitter, Instagram, and other social media networks was significantly limited in Turkey, at times useless without a VPN.
The Turkish government has throttled access to social media during periods of crises like the coup attempt of 2016 and the 2013 Gezi Protests.
Morning after - Government officials in silence about losses
Following the attack, although the Hatay governor announced the death toll, no statements were made by either President Erdoğan or Defense Minister Akar. Defense Minister Akar made his first statement almost 14 hours after the attack on Feb. 28.
The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) held an emergency meeting in Ankara late on Feb. 27, as did the AKP's coalition partner, the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).
The right-wing Good Party leader Meral Akşener cancelled her plans in the province of Balıkesir in order to return to Ankara.
MHP chair Devlet Bahçeli said that military ground and air strikes needed to be executed swiftly in Idlib.
Following the presidency's meeting on Feb. 27, Defense Minister Akar together with top military officials traveled to a military base in Hatay in early hours of Feb. 28.
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