A Turkish Armed Forces convoy is seen in the northern town of Sarmada, in Idlib, Syria, February 2, 2020. (Photo: AP)

Turkey says it struck back against Syrian forces after at least 4 of its own soldiers were killed and 9 others were injured. According to official news from Turkey, Turkish forces used F-16 warplanes in the attack, killing at least 30 Syrian soldiers.

Turkey’s Ministry of Defense announced that the Syrian government forces shelled Turkish targets in the Idlib region, causing 13 casualties.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara is losing patience with the assault on Idlib. He said Turkey could launch a military campaign in Idlib if the current situation is not improved.

The international community called for restraint. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was said to be “very much alarmed” by reports of clashes between Turkish and Syrian troops in northwest Syria. It’s a “threat to regional and global peace and security,” his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Monday. Guterres called for an immediate end to hostilities, said the spokesman.