Critics from across the political spectrum have criticized the U.S.'s agreement with Turkey as a capitulation to Turkey or a vague resolution that does not fully address the crisis now unfolding in northeastern Syria with the departure of U.S. troops.
President Donald Trump heralded the deal reached between Turkey and the United States to halt fighting in northern Syria as a"good solution" on Friday after branding it a"good day for civilization" when the agreement was reached Thursday.
Eight days after the start of Turkey's operation against Syrian Kurdish forces that were armed by and fought alongside U.S. troops against ISIS, the agreement for a ceasefire was reached by Vice President Mike Pence, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and their delegations. It calls for a 120-hour, or five-day, pause by Turkey's military to allow those Syrian Kurds, known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, to withdraw from a buffer zone.
The violence, however, speaks to a larger issue in the agreement: It does not specify the area that the SDF must vacate, dismantle their heavy weapons, and destroy their fortifications. Without consensus over its parameters, further clashes are all but certain. That's the view shared by the SDF as well. Gen. Mazloum Abdi, the SDF commander, said Thursday the deal is limited to the areas around Ras al-Ayn and Tal Abyad, two Syrian border towns that Turkish forces have seized, adding,"Nothing has been discussed for the other regions. Our forces remain there.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump says Turkey hates ISIS 'a little less' than the U.S., Russia, Iran and SyriaPresident Donald Trump said the United States is '7,000 miles away' from Syria, and regional countries had an as big, or even bigger stake in fighting ISIS—but Turkey not quite as much.
Read more »
Pence Says Turkey Has Agreed to Cease-fire in SyriaUnder the terms of the agreement, Turkey will give the Syrian Kurds five days to flee the territory it has invaded before it will once again seek to secure the area by force
Read more »
U.S., Turkey agree Ankara to primarily control Syria 'safe zone'Turkey will primarily enforce a 'safe zone' in northern Syria, accordi...
Read more »
US and Turkey agree to a ceasefire in Syria: Live updatesTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US Vice President Mike Pence reached a deal to suspend Turkish offensive in Northern Syria. Follow here for the latest.
Read more »
Pence says Turkey, U.S. agree ceasefire in northeast SyriaTurkey has agreed to a five-day ceasefire in northeast Syria to allow for withdr...
Read more »