Pompeo noted that the February 3 mortar attack on Turkish observation posts by the Assad regime forces was a grave escalation.

"We stand by our NATO Ally Turkey in the aftermath of the attack, which resulted in the death of multiple Turkish personnel serving at an observation post used for coordination and de-escalation, and fully support Turkey’s justified self-defense actions in response," the statement said

Pompeo also offered condolences to the Government of Turkey on their deaths.

ILKHA