Turkey-Syria Offensive: Erdogan Rejects US Ceasefire Call
Sumaira FH Published October 16, 2019 | 02:35 PM
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has rejected a US call for an immediate ceasefire in northern Syria
Istanbul (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th October, 2019) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has rejected a US call for an immediate ceasefire in northern Syria.Erdogan's comments come ahead of a visit to Turkey by the US vice-president and US secretary of state.Turkey launched an offensive designed to drive away Kurdish troops after their main ally, the US, pulled out.Russia, which backs Syria, has said it prevent clashes between Turkish and Syrian forces which have now moved into the area after a deal with the Kurds.Turkey considers elements of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) a terrorist organisation and want to push them away from the border area.Ankara also says it wants to create a "safe zone" reaching about 30km (20 miles) into Syria to resettle up to two million Syrian refugees currently in Turkey.However, Syrian forces - which are backed by Russia - advanced north at the weekend following a deal with the Kurds to try to hold back the Turkish operation.Critics of the Trump administration say the withdrawal of US troops from the region gave Turkey a "green light" for the offensive.The US has repeatedly denied this, and on Monday Washington announced sanctions on Turkish ministries and senior government officials.Dozens of civilians have been killed in the operation so far and at least 160,000 have fled the area, according to the UN.On Tuesday, the medical charity M�decins Sans Fronti�res (MSF) said it had "taken the difficult decision to suspend the majority of its activities and evacuate all its international staff from north-east Syria"."They say 'declare a ceasefire'.
We will never declare a ceasefire," Mr Erdogan told reporters on Tuesday. "They are pressuring us to stop the operation. They are announcing sanctions.
Our goal is clear. We are not worried about any sanctions," the president added.President Vladimir Putin has discussed the situation with Mr Erdogan in a phone call and invited him to Russia for a working visit "in the coming days", the Kremlin announced on Wednesday.Erdogan is also expected to meet US Vice-President Mike Pence and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the Turkish capital, Ankara, on Thursday.Pence on Monday warned that the US sanctions against Turkey would worsen "unless and until Turkey embraces an immediate ceasefire" and negotiates a long-term settlement on the border.US President Donald Trump has faced mounting pressure to take action against Turkey - a key Nato partner - including from Republicans usually loyal to his administration.Syrian government forces on Tuesday entered the strategic town of Manbij, inside the area where Turkey wants to create its "safe zone".Meanwhile, Turkish troops and pro-Turkish, anti-government fighters had also been gathering near Manbij.Over the past two years, hundreds of US troops have visibly patrolled the strategic town, but they left earlier this week.On Tuesday, Russia - a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad - said its forces were patrolling along the "line of contact" between Syrian and Turkish forces.Moscow describes the Turkish offensive as "unacceptable".
On Tuesday, President Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed the issue in a phone call.For now, Syrian forces have not been deployed between Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ain, where Turkey has focused its efforts.Kurdish-led forces have been a key ally of the US in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria.They described the US withdrawal, which preceded Turkish action, as a "stab in the back".
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 24 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 24 April 2024
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
Dutch model Donny Roelvink embraces Islam
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
More Stories From World
-
China to send fresh crew to Tiangong space station
22 minutes ago -
Norman says McIlroy welcome on LIV Tour, but denies any offer
22 minutes ago -
China, future HQ: New ASML boss faces bulging in-tray
23 minutes ago -
Trump meets former Japanese prime minister in New York
32 minutes ago -
'Catch and Kill' architect details Trump-boosting scheme
32 minutes ago -
Wolves overpower Suns to lead series 2-0, Pacers down Bucks
32 minutes ago
-
Top price predicted for long-lost Klimt portrait at Vienna auction
33 minutes ago -
Maduro announces return of UN rights office to Venezuela
53 minutes ago -
Large crowds march against Argentina public university cuts
1 hour ago -
Football: Italian Cup result
2 hours ago -
Football: English Premier League result
2 hours ago -
Talks on global plastic treaty begin in Canada
2 hours ago