Syria safe zone talks with US positive, Defense Minister Akar says
A meeting resumed in Ankara on Wednesday between Turkish and U.S. military officials to discuss the establishment of a safe zone in northern Syria, according to Turkish defense minister.
- Türkiye
- Compiled from wire services
- Published Date: 01:22 | 07 August 2019
- Modified Date: 05:39 | 07 August 2019
Talks with the U.S. delegation regarding the Syria safe zone have been positive and constructive, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Wednesday.
Turkey has completed its safe zone plans, including the deployment of military units, Akar said, adding that they have told U.S. officials that Turkey would prefer to act together.
"We observed that our counterparts are getting closer to Turkish views in the talks," Akar said.
Turkish and U.S. military officials are holding a meeting in the Turkish capital to discuss the establishment of a safe zone in northern Syria.
Turkey expects the creation of a 32-kilometer (20-mile) safe zone in northern Syria and has stressed that it wants the People's Protection Units (YPG) terror group cleared in the region.
The YPG is the Syrian offshoot of terror group PKK, which has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people in Turkey, including many women, children and infants, for more than 30 years.
Ankara and Washington have yet to hammer an agreement on the safe zone. Turkey's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said Friday that Ankara has "limited" patience.
If efforts to find common ground with the U.S. prove unsuccessful, Ankara would have to create a safe zone in Syria on its own, said Turkey's Foreign Ministry on Friday.