Erdoğan, Trump discuss creation of secure zone in northern Syria
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone call with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump on Monday, amid a diplomatic spat over the U.S. wihdrawal from Syria. The two leaders underlined that they will not allow any elements trying to prevent the U.S.' withdrawal from Syria, and discussed the establishment of a terror-free safe zone in Syria's north, Turkish presidency said in a statement.
- Türkiye
- Agencies and A News
- Published Date: 12:00 | 14 January 2019
- Modified Date: 09:28 | 14 January 2019
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday discussed the establishment of a secure zone in northern Syria cleared of militia groups, the Turkish presidency said.
In the phone call, Erdoğan reiterated that Turkey has no problems with Kurds and its goal is to rid the region of terror groups such as Daesh, the PKK and its Syrian branches the People's Protection Units (YPG) and the Democratic Union Party (PYD).
According to the statement released by Turkish presidency, two leaders emphasised the need to complete a roadmap regarding Syria's border town of Manbij, as well to avoid giving any opportunity to elements seeking to block the planned withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria.
Turkey backs Trump's decision on the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria, Erdoğan said, extending all kinds of support in this regard.
The two leaders agreed to advance bilateral economic relations.
The phone call came after Trump's tweet saying "[The US] Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds," conflating "Kurds" with the terrorist PKK/YPG, a confusion that Turkey has repeatedly criticized.