Russia, Turkey reach deal to remove Kurdish fighters from Syria border

Following a deal between Russia and Turkey on October 22, the countries' forces are set to be deployed in the northeastern region of Syria so as to remove Kurdish YPG fighters and their weapons from the border, as per reports. The United States had told Turkey the withdrawal of Kurdish terrorists was complete from the "safe zone" Ankara demands in northern Syria said Turkish defense ministry in a response to the deal. The ministry further said that there was no need to initiate another operation. Turkey has ended its military offensive which had begun on October 9 after receiving criticisms and warnings. The move follows the withdrawal of US troops and a US-brokered truce which expired on Tuesday.

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Syrian-Russian forces replace US troops

With the new agreement reportedly formed at the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Syrian and Russian forces jointly replace the earlier US troops along with their former Kurdish allies. Russian military police and Syrian border guards reportedly started removing the YPG 30 km (19 miles) from the Turkish border on October 23. Under the pact between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, six days later, the forces will jointly start to patrol a narrower, 10 km strip of land in the safe zone that Ankara has long sought in northeast Syria. US Vice President Mike Pence supported the safe zone establishment.

"We may well give the international community an opportunity to establish a safe zone between Turkey and the Kurdish population in Syria that will ensure peace and security," said Pence.

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Senior US diplomat has doubts over removal of Kurds

On the other hand, Jim Jeffrey, the senior U.S. diplomat in Syria, reportedly dismissed the Sochi deal. He questioned whether the Russians could get the YPG to leave the territory it covers. At a congressional hearing, he said that the agreement is full of holes. All that is clear from the agreement is the fact that it will stop the Turks from moving forward, he said. But the fact that YGP will be eradicated from the area is still doubtful, he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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