Turkey says it will let refugees into Europe after its troops killed in Syria

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a meeting of his ruling AK Party in Ankara, Turkey, February 27, 2020. Turkish Presidential Press Office/Handout via REUTERS

OUTSIDE SARAQEB, Syria/ANKARA (Reuters) - Refugees in Turkey headed towards European frontiers on Friday after an official said the borders had been thrown open, a response to the escalating war in Syria where 33 Turkish soldiers were killed by Russian-backed Syrian government troops.

Moscow and Ankara traded blame over Thursday's strike in northwest Syria, the deadliest attack on Turkish forces in nearly 30 years. The U.N. Security Council held an emergency meeting to try to avert open conflict between Russia and NATO member Turkey.