Turkish forces shot down two Syrian planes in Syria's northwestern Idlib region, and the pilots used parachutes to eject and landed safely, Syrian state media reported Sunday, after Ankara announced a cross-border military operation there. 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, said the two Sukhoi jets fell in regime-held territory, likely after being targeted by Turkish F-16 planes.   

Turkey's defense ministry also reported the downings Sunday, but did not confirm who was responsible. 

"Two SU-24 regime planes that were attacking our aircraft have been downed," it said. Youssef Hammoud, a spokesman for the National Syrian Army - a pro-Turkish group - said two Sukhoi 24 planes were brought down, also without saying who was responsible. 

Turkey says pursuing new operation in Idlib

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Sunday that Turkey has launched a fresh operation in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib in the wake of the recent attack of Syrian government on Turkish troops there. 

Though Turkey has reported striking targets in Syria since dozens of its troops were killed there Thursday, it was the first confirmation of a full and continuing operation. 

"Following the heinous attack on February 27 in Idlib, operation 'Spring Shield' successfully continues," Akar said in a televised speech. 

He stressed that talks between Ankara and Moscow are ongoing. 

"Our expectation from Russia at this point is to fulfill its commitments as the guarantor country, and in this context, to use its influence on the regime (Syrian government) to make it halt its attacks and withdraw to the borders set with the Sochi Agreement," said the minister. 

"We don't have the desire or intention to clash with Russia," the minister added. 34 Turkish troops have been killed in Syria since Thursday. 

"Our intention is to stop the regime's massacres, and prevent... migration," he said. 

"We expect Russia to stop the regime's attacks and to use their influence to ensure the regime withdraws to the borders of the Sochi Agreement." 

Turkey has set up several observation points in Idlib under a deal signed with Russia in September 2018 in Sochi, which also recognized Idlib as a "de-escalation zone" and prohibited aggressive acts in the area. But conflicts have continued in the region despite the deal. 

'Favorable atmosphere'

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Chavushoglu agreed on the need to create a "favorable atmosphere" to improve working relations between their countries, the Russian Foreign Ministry said late Sunday.

"The ministers have declared in favor of the adoption of measures to create a favorable atmosphere that will facilitate the effectiveness of the dialogue on the implementation of agreements in support of the Syrian settlement and other issues on the agenda of Russian-Turkish relations," the ministry said.

Lavrov and Chavushoglu, in a phone call, also discussed preparations for the upcoming meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan.

(With input from agencies)