Eight Civilians Killed in Joint Turkish-Syrian Security Operation in Northern Idlib

The Turkish Interior Ministry announced yesterday the execution of a security operation in cooperation with the Syrian Interior Ministry in the town of Atma, northern Idlib countryside. The operation targeted a cell accused of killing a Turkish citizen and stealing his vehicle before fleeing into Syrian territory.

According to the official statement, the operation resulted in the death of eight individuals and injuries to two others, in addition to the arrest of four members of the group—all from Syrian families—accused of holding extremist beliefs without direct organizational ties to ISIS.

Ankara confirmed that the cell posed a “shared security threat,” highlighting that the operation reflects the level of security cooperation between the two sides in combating terrorism.

However, the incident sparked controversy, met with official and media silence from the Syrian Interim Government and Turkey-supporting entities, while drawing criticism on social media over the civilian casualties.