Erdogan issues 'declaration of war' in Syria as tensions escalate with Russia

ISTANBUL — Raising the stakes in an already volatile situation in the embattled Syrian province of Idlib, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued warnings against Syria and Russia that amounted to a “declaration of war," an analyst said. The threats triggered a sharp response from Moscow, accusing Turkey of failing to rein in rebels in Idlib. The exchange sent the Turkish-Russian alliance in Syria to a low point. Erdogan’s speech February 12 addressing lawmakers of his ruling Justice and Development Party in Ankara came after 13 Turkish troops were killed in clashes with Syrian government forces in Idlib since the start of the month. Erdogan’s nationalist ally, Devlet Bahceli, on...