![Members of Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in Turkey's Operation Peace Spring in Syria on 15 October 2019 [Behçet Alkan/Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/20191016_2_38771476_48526043.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
The Syrian news agency, SANA, claimed on Sunday that the Turkish army had arrested dozens of rebels as they fled from the fighting in Idlib and headed for Turkey. The arrests were made in the area of Ras Al-Ein to the north west of Al-Hasaka.
SANA is believed to be the only media outlet which reported the news. It explained that the Turks closed the border ahead of the rebels before arresting them.
Turkish forces have fought alongside the Syrian rebels in Idlib against regime forces and their allies. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Turkey and the Syrian regime have both built up their military presence in different areas in and around the south of Idlib.
Local sources have also reported that Syrian regime forces bombed bases of Al-Nusra Front in rural areas across southern Idlib.