Russia announced today it has helped negotiate a cease-fire in rebel-controlled Idlib province this week as rising tensions between Turkey and Syria threaten to escalate into open conflict.

"On the initiative of the Russian side, with the mediation of Russia and Turkey, an agreement was reached on a complete cease-fire regime to be established in the entire Idlib de-escalation zone,” announced Maj. Gen. Viktor Kupchishin, head of the Russian military's Reconciliation Center in Syria. “As a result, the number of attacks from illegal armed groups [is expected to decrease].”

Moscow reports there were 12 shelling attacks in northwestern Syria on Tuesday and only two on Wednesday after the cease-fire went into effect at midnight. The Syrian army has reportedly adhered to the agreement and did not retaliate.

This morning, however, Turkey’s Defense Ministry said three dozen mortar rounds fired from government-controlled areas in Syria hit a Turkish observation point in Idlib province. Ankara called it a “deliberate attack” that “slightly wounded” three Turkish soldiers and damaged equipment and facilities.