Turkish involvement in the Syrian Civil War

German Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged further funds for Syrians in Idlib after a video conference call held with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, French President Emmanuel Macron and Britain's Boris Johnson on March 17 during which they discussed the Syrian refugee crisis, Libya and the coronavirus pandemic.

Turkish, German, British and French leaders discussed the Syria crisis and migrant issue as well as joint action against coronavirus in a videoconference, the Turkish presidency said on March 17.

Turkish and British defense ministers visited Turkey's southeastern border on March 13 to observe the situation of refugees.
Hulusi Akar and Ben Wallace were in Turkey's border post in Hatay province and observed from an observation tower the refugee situation in Atma.

The intense Turkish military presence in the Aegean, the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus is proof that Turkey has emerged as a critical player on the international scene, according to its defense minister, Hulusi Akar.

In comments translated into Greek, Akar added that Turkey owes this position in the international arena to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkish and Russian military delegations have agreed to establish joint coordination centers and the military activities in Idlib will be managed from these centers, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on March 13.

Turkey's defense minister met with his British counterpart on March 12.

Hulusi Akar received Ben Wallace, who was in Ankara as an official guest, with a military ceremony, according to a statement from Turkey's Defense Ministry.

After the ceremony, Akar and Wallace held a meeting with their delegations.

Three suspected ISIL terrorists were detained in Turkey's southern Adana province, state-run Anadolu Agency reported on March 12.

The three Syrian nationals were detained in an anti-terror operation carried out by Turkish police.

Turkey was one of the first countries to recognize ISIL as a terrorist group in 2013, as soon as it emerged.

Turkish military's "devastating display of power" with its effective domestic drone program against the Syrian regime in Idlib has changed the military equation against Russia, NATO officials said, according to a report.

Turkey will respond heavily if the cease-fire with Russia is violated in northwestern Syria's Idlib, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on March 11.

If the relevant parties of the Moscow deal violate the deal, Turkey will "never avoid going over them heavier than before," Erdoğan said at the parliamentary group meeting.

However, Russia's attack has compromised Erdogan's attempt to portray Turkey as a regional power. In addition, Arab countries have joined the US policy in Syria and have left Erdogan out in the cold.