Politics
2019.10.19 18:15 GMT+8

Turkey accuses Syrian Kurd forces of violating ceasefire

Updated 2019.10.19 18:15 GMT+8
CGTN

Turkey on Saturday accused Kurdish forces of violating an agreement to suspend its Syria offensive if they withdraw from a "safe zone" along the border.  

"The Turkish armed forces fully abide by the agreement" reached on Thursday with the United States, the defense ministry said in a statement.  

"Despite this, terrorists... carried out a total of 14 attacks in the last 36 hours." The ministry said 12 of the attacks came from Ras al-Ain in northeastern Syria, one from Tal Abyad and another from Tal Tamr region, adding that various light and heavy weaponry including rockets were used.  

Turkey had agreed to suspend its Syria offensive for five days but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on Friday he would resume a full-scale operation against Kurdish forces if they do not withdraw from a border "safe zone."  

The defense ministry said "for the agreement to hold soundly and to keep the calm with exception of self-defense," Turkey was coordinating with the United States. 

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan talks to media in Istanbul, October 18, 2019. /VCG Photo

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that Turkey will set up a dozen observation posts across northeast Syria.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he had spoken with Erdogan who told him there had been some "minor" sniper and mortar fire in northeastern Syria despite the truce, but that it had been quickly eliminated. 

"He very much wants the ceasefire, or pause, to work," Trump said in a post on Twitter. "Likewise, the Kurds want it, and the ultimate solution, to happen."

Source(s): AFP
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