Turkish soldiers did die and they were in the same buildings as HTS terrorists that's a fact. Turkish MRAPs, Turkish rtillery, Turkish aipower was all in Support of them. Also Turkish SOF (clealy present in the video of the downed Helo from the roof top of a building)
Because the Turks themselves fired the missile! Both the helicopters and some drones got downed by Turkish soldiers.
Turks were involved and thankfully not in full force. Imagine the carnage if F-16 jets were dropping bombs instead of these tiny drones.
We all know who pushed and fought for Saraqib. It wasn't the Turks. The jihadi headchoppers fought on the front lines. The Turks just assisted them with drones.
they were not pushed back, they retreated until reinforcements came
Ah, yes. Tactical retreat.
Air Defenses have nothing to do with fighting MANPADs, Air Defenses are there to fight Aerial targets... it's like I am talking to a 5 year old boy.
I understand that. But shouldn't the SAA high command realize the Turks aren't fucking around after not one but two of their helicopters got downed.
Not to mention their drones have been loitering over Idlib for months now. The Turks have proven they're willing to violate Syrian airspace on multiple occasions.
Also it's not that SAA has infinite supply of Air Defences, they have a limited number to cover all their territory, they need to move them from far away (reportedly from Damascus area) and without emptying southern front
Syrian Air Defence down south have been very effective against Cyprus. Doesn't matter if you have S-300 down there, the Israelis will continue to strike as long as Russia gives them a pass.
To believe the SAA is victorious in the latest round of fighting in Idlib is delusional at best.
They were caught unprepared and stopped in their tracks. With the quote on quote "Air Defence" systems in place nothing changed. The Turks could just conduct SEAD and we would all be back on square one.
Unless the Russians directly intervene, but given the fact a single F-16 downed two SU-24 jets and another F-16 downed an L-39, the Russians probably don't care.