On June 13, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that Russian warplanes based in Syria carried out a series of airstrikes on “terrorist” positions in Idlib. Citing the ministry, Russia’s RIA Novosti state news agency reported “terrorists of Jabhat al-Nusra fired at a Turkish army observation post, despite a cease-fire agreement.”
These claims are false.
Firstly, Turkey has blamed Assad regime forces for the mortar attack — during which, it said, 35 shells hit their observation post. According to a Turkish Defense Ministry statement, the mortars were fired from the regime-controlled area of As Shariah. Three Turkish soldiers suffered minor wounds in the attack, which Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu called “intentional,” vowing that Turkey would “do what is necessary” should such attacks continue.
Also in dispute was the Russian claim that the attack violated a ceasefire in the area. Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu said that no full ceasefire had been negotiated, and talks were still in progress. Syrian rebel forces, who made territorial gains last week after a successful offensive, denied having agreed to any ceasefire.
A statement circulating on rebel-aligned Telegram channels read: “All reports of a temporary truce between the mujahideen (Islamic anti-government forces) and the pro-Assad terrorists, propagated by the propagandists of the regime, are FALSE!”
Global News 
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