The Syrian forces achieved a long-awaited target with their control yesterday, and for the first time since 2012, on the entire Aleppo-Damascus International Road, weeks after the start of a massive military offensive with Russian support in northwestern Syria. While two pilots were killed by the fall of a Syrian military helicopter in Idlib governorate, which was targeted by a missile fired by the Turkish forces, the Damascus government reiterated its refusal to have Turkish forces inside the Syrian territories, describing this presence as a "blatant aggression".

In detail, the director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman said, "The Syrian forces took control of the fourth Al-Rashideen area on the outskirts of the western city of Aleppo on Tuesday, to complete their control over the entire international route for the first time since 2012."

The Syrian forces have taken control of dozens of villages and towns during the past weeks, most notably the cities of Maarat al-Numan and then Saraqib, as the M5 road passes in the southeastern countryside of Idlib.

The process of controlling the M5 highway came after a military operation started by the Syrian forces with full Russian support on the 24th of last January, during which it managed to control about 160 areas in both Idlib and Aleppo, and at that time extended its control over 57 areas in rural Southern and western Aleppo, which stretched from Khan Toman, Khan Tuman and Khaldiya warehouses, stoning and coming from Hazmur, Khirbet Khars, Tal Al-Zaytun, Al-Rashideen, and other sites, points, and other villages in the area, until yesterday it was able to extend full control of the road.

The latest progress would contribute to ensuring the security of the city of Aleppo, which, despite the full control of the Syrian forces in 2016, remained a target for faction shells deployed on its western outskirts. Meanwhile, two pilots were killed in the fall of a Syrian military helicopter yesterday, in Idlib governorate, which was targeted by a missile fired by Turkish forces, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and an AFP correspondent.

The observatory said that the helicopter fell near the village of Qaminas, southeast of Idlib. Ankara, which supports armed Syrian factions in the northwestern region of Syria, confirmed the crash, without claiming responsibility. The Turkish Ministry of Defense stated that it had received information according to which "a helicopter belonging to the Syrian forces had crashed," without specifying who was responsible for this.

For its part, the Syrian government renewed yesterday its rejection of the presence of Turkish forces inside the Syrian territories, describing this presence as a "blatant aggression".

The Syrian News Agency (SANA) quoted a source in the Syrian Foreign Ministry as saying: “The Syrian Arab Republic reaffirms the categorical rejection of any Turkish presence on Syrian soil, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law, a flagrant attack on Syrian sovereignty and contradicts Astana’s statements and Sochi’s understandings regarding a reduction zone The escalation in Idlib ».

The source emphasized that "the Turkish regime continues its aggression against the sovereignty and inviolability of the lands of the Syrian Arab Republic, by deploying more of its forces in Idlib, its countryside, and the countryside of Aleppo, and targeting populated areas and some military points."

The source pointed out that "while Syria calls on the international community to take the necessary positions to curb the aggressive behavior of the Turkish regime and its unlimited support for terrorism in Syria and Libya, it reaffirms that these attacks will not succeed in reviving terrorist organizations and the Syrian Arab Army forces will continue to pursue these remnants Regulations until they are completely eliminated. ”

Meanwhile, 12 civilians were killed in air strikes launched by Syrian warplanes targeting the city of Idlib, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

In Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the Syrian government will pay a "very high price" for its attack on Turkish forces in the Idlib area, where 13 Turkish soldiers were killed in just over a week.

"We sent the necessary responses to the Syrian side at the highest level," Erdogan added in a speech. They got what they deserve, especially in Idlib. But this is not enough and will continue. ” He stated that, on Wednesday, he will announce a detailed plan for how to deal with developments in Idlib.

Syria reiterates its rejection of the presence of Turkish forces on its soil.