On 27 February 2020, during the peak of Operation Dawn of Idlib 2, the Russian Air Force and Syrian Air Force conducted airstrikes against a Turkish Army convoy in Balyun, Idlib Governorate. According to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the strikes resulted in the deaths of 34 Turkish soldiers, while other sources close to the Turkish government gave death tolls of up to 50–100 Turkish soldiers killed, making it the single deadliest attack on Turkish forces since the start of their involvement in the Syrian Civil War. Between 36 and 60 soldiers were also wounded, of which 16 were reported to be in critical condition. The strikes led to the Turkish Armed Forces launching Operation Spring Shield in Idlib province.