Turkey, U.S. to form joint operation centre for safe zone in Syria
Turkey's Defence Ministry said on Wednesday it agreed with the United States to establish a joint operation centre in Turkey to coordinate and manage a planned safe zone in northern Syria. After three days of talks in Ankara, the Defence Ministry said that the two countries also agreed to take additional measures for the return of displaced Syrians to their country.
- World
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 05:01 | 07 August 2019
- Modified Date: 06:39 | 07 August 2019
Turkish and U.S. military officials have agreed that the safe-zone in northern Syria will be a "peace corridor" for displaced Syrians longing to return home, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said Wednesday.
The officials finalized key points of the safe-zone at a meeting in Ankara, the ministry said in a statement.
The immediate implementation of measures to address Turkey's security concern was discussed in detail, the ministry said.
It was planned that a Joint Operations Center in Turkey to coordinate and manage the establishment of the safe-zone will be established, the ministry added.
The U.S. Embassy in Ankara also confirmed in a statement that the parties agreed to rapidly implement "initial measures" to address Turkey's security concerns and establish a Joint Operations Center in Turkey to coordinate the establishment of the safe zone.
The statement added that the safe-zone would become a "peace corridor" for displaced Syrians who want to return to their country.
YPG/PKK is the Syrian offshoot of terror group PKK, which has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people in Turkey, including many children, women, and infants, for more than 30 years.
Turkey has often raised concerns over U.S. support of factions of the PKK against Daesh in the region, saying one terror outfit cannot be used against another.
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