On 28 February, at least 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in an airstrike by Bashar Al Assad’s government forces in northwestern Idlib province as Turkey vowed "to respond in kind" with attacks on "all" their positions. The deaths were the largest number of fatalities suffered by Turkey in a single day since it first intervened in Syria in 2016. The rapid escalation of the conflict also threatened another refugee crisis as media reports cited Turkish officials as saying they “opened the gates” for Syrian refugees to transit unimpeded to Europe. 

Following the news, the South Caucasus countries responded to the deaths of the Turkish soldiers.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev  offered condolences to Erdogan after the attack. Referring to Recep Tayyip Erdogan as “my dear brother”. Aliyev said in a message: "I received the news of Turkish soldiers being martyred with deep sorrow. On my behalf and the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my condolences to you, to the families and relatives of those who lost their lives, and to the brotherly Turkish nation.  May Allah rest their souls in peace."

Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov and Defence Minister Zakir Hassanov also offered their condolences. 

Georgia 

Georgia said that it stands by and supports its strategic ally Turkey following the deadly attack. “Georgia closely observes the situation in Syria. Turkey is a strategic partner and an ally of Georgia. We are concerned by the attack of the Assad regime on Turkish troops in Idlib. We support Turkey and express our condolences to the families of the killed soldiers,” Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandre Khvtisiashvili stated.

Armenia 

There has not been any official statement by the Armenian government in regard to the escalation of hostilities in Idlib. Taking into consideration that on 14 February 2020 the Syrian parliament adopted a resolution acknowledging the genocide committed over the Armenian population in the Ottoman Empire, that Russia is Armenia’s main political ally, and that Armenia has no diplomatic relations with Turkey, it can be assumed that the Armenian government takes the position of the Assad regime and Russia, but it was not backed by any official statements.

Backed by heavy Russian airstrikes, Syrian regime forces have been fighting since the start of the year to recapture the Aleppo countryside and parts of neighbouring Idlib, the last opposition stronghold in the country. The Russian government denied being involved in the airstrike. The Kremlin stated that Turkish troops should not be outside their observation posts and Russia did everything possible to ensure the safety of Turkish troops at the observation posts. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov offered condolences to Turkey, saying that “such tragedies” can be averted. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone on the same day to discuss the crisis and both “expressed serious concern” over the escalation, the Kremlin said.