US Envoy: Turks 'no intention' to stay in Syria

(17 Oct 2019) U.S. special envoy for Syria,  Ambassador James Jeffrey outlined the agreement to the five-day cease-fire in the Turkish assault on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria.

"The Turks have reassured us many times that they have no intention, no intention whatsoever from President Erdogan personally on down today of staying in Syria very long, Jeffrey said.

Amb. Jeffrey said "Essentially, we have this pause in the Turkish operations for five days as the SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces) withdraws from those areas where the Turks are. At the end of that five days, if the SDF has withdrawn the Turks will cease all operations in northeast Syria."

The U.S. and Turkey agreed Thursday to a cease-fire in the Turks' deadly attacks on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria, requiring the Kurds to vacate the area in an arrangement that largely solidifies Turkey's position and aims in the weeklong conflict. The deal includes a conditional halt to American economic sanctions.

After negotiations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence hailed the five-day cease-fire as the way to end the bloodshed caused by Turkey's invasion. He remained silent on whether it amounted to a second abandonment of America's former Kurdish allies in the fight against the Islamic State group.

Turkish troops and Turkish-backed Syrian fighters launched their offensive against Kurdish forces in northern Syria a week ago, two days after President Donald Trump suddenly announced he was withdrawing the U.S. military from the area.

Trump was widely criticized for turning on the Kurds, who had taken heavy casualties as partners with the U.S. in fighting IS extremists since 2016.

Turkish troops and Turkish-backed Syrian fighters launched their offensive against Kurdish forces in northern Syria a week ago, two days after President Donald Trump suddenly announced he was withdrawing the U.S. military from the area.

Trump was widely criticized for turning on the Kurds, who had taken heavy casualties as partners with the U.S. in fighting IS extremists since 2016.



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