This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-49394759

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Syrian civil war: 'Three killed' in attack on Turkish convoy Syrian civil war: 'Three killed' in attack on Turkish convoy
(about 1 hour later)
A Syrian government air strike aiming to stop a Turkish convoy reaching a rebel-held town in northern Syria has killed three civilians, Turkey alleges.A Syrian government air strike aiming to stop a Turkish convoy reaching a rebel-held town in northern Syria has killed three civilians, Turkey alleges.
Another 12 people were injured in the attack in Idlib province on Monday, the Turkish defence ministry said.Another 12 people were injured in the attack in Idlib province on Monday, the Turkish defence ministry said.
Idlib is one of the few areas in Syria not under government control. Idlib, one of the few areas not under government control, was supposed to be protected by a buffer zone agreed with rebel-backing Turkey last year.
Syria has condemned the convoy, which is laden with ammunition. Turkey - which supports the rebels - says the strike violates previous agreements. But government assaults have been on the increase since April.
The agreement - reached last September between Russia and Turkey - should mean Idlib is protected from a major government offensive. Hundreds of civilians have already been killed as a result, and there are fears many more will die if the situation continues to escalate.
But in recent weeks government forces have stepped up their assault on the region - the last major anti-Assad stronghold - killing hundreds of civilians and driving hundreds of thousands from their homes. "This is our worst nightmare coming true," Jan Egeland, from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), told the BBC.
On Sunday evening a Russian-backed government offensive reached Khan Sheikhoun, the rebel stronghold where the Turkish convoy is headed. "We have for years now warned against the ultimate catastrophe being Idlib, where there was no escape for three million civilians. There are some very bad militants inside.
The convoy, which is reportedly made up of armoured vehicles, entered the region on Monday, but the attack has forced it to stop on a highway north of the town. "But a wholesale attack on this area of Idlib and adjacent northern Hama would mean that a million children would come in horrific crossfire, and it's that that now seems to be happening."
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that Russian aircraft had carried out strikes near a Turkish convoy in northern Syria on the morning of 19 August. Why is Turkey sending a convoy into Syria?
The convoy's arrival has been condemned in Syrian state media as an act of aggression. It said the munitions would not stop government forces "hunting the remnants of terrorists". Turkey, which backs some, but not all, the rebels, has forces in Idlib as part of last year's agreement with Russia.
The incident has raised fears of direct clashes between the countries. According to Naji Mustafa, a spokesman for the National Liberation Front rebel grouping, the convoy was heading to one of its observation points with "reinforcements" when the attack took place.
What's happening in Syria? An AFP correspondent who saw the convoy reported it included about 50 armoured vehicles, at least five of which were tanks.
But Syria has said the convoy's arrival in the region is an act of aggression. It said the munitions would not stop government forces "hunting the remnants of terrorists".
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a Russian aircraft carried out strikes near the convoy on 19 August.
Turkey has said the attack breaches last year's agreement, with the incident raising fears of direct clashes between the countries.
Why is this happening now?
After eight years of war, the Syrian government is trying to win back control of the last rebel-held areas.After eight years of war, the Syrian government is trying to win back control of the last rebel-held areas.
Government forces, backed by Russia, reportedly entered the northwest outskirts of Khan Sheikhoun on Sunday.Government forces, backed by Russia, reportedly entered the northwest outskirts of Khan Sheikhoun on Sunday.
Khan Sheikhoun, which was hit by a Sarin gas attack in 2017, is a strategically important town in the south of the province. Khan Sheikhoun, which was hit by a Sarin gas attack in 2017, lies on a highway connecting Damascus to Aleppo and is a strategically important town in the south of the province.
If it is captured, it will mean the Syrian regime has effectively encircled a rebel-held area to the south, which includes a Turkish observation post in the town of Morek.
Mr Mustafa told AFP the convoy was heading to Morek.
Syrian forces have now massed to both the east and west of Khan Sheikhoun, and air strikes are targeting the centre and surrounding villages.Syrian forces have now massed to both the east and west of Khan Sheikhoun, and air strikes are targeting the centre and surrounding villages.
Last week a Syrian government war plane was shot down in the area, hit by an anti-aircraft missile fired by militants, according to Syrian state news agency Sana.Last week a Syrian government war plane was shot down in the area, hit by an anti-aircraft missile fired by militants, according to Syrian state news agency Sana.
Jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has claimed responsibility and released footage purportedly showing the captured pilot.Jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has claimed responsibility and released footage purportedly showing the captured pilot.
A colonel from a rebel faction confirmed to Reuters news agency that there were battles going on on the outskirts. Fighters from a Turkish-backed rebel force have joined the defence, he said.A colonel from a rebel faction confirmed to Reuters news agency that there were battles going on on the outskirts. Fighters from a Turkish-backed rebel force have joined the defence, he said.