Published 11:58 IST, October 19th 2019
Donald Trump announces US-Turkey ceasefire in Northeast Syria
Donald Trump has applauded the recent agreement of the US with the Turkish government which declared a ceasefire of the Turkish offensive in northeastern Syria
The President of the United States, Donald Trump has applauded the recent agreement of the US with the Turkish government which declared a ceasefire of the Turkish offensive in northeastern Syria on October 18. Later while talking to the reporters, President Trump while referring to the recent agreement said that 'this is a great thing for everybody' and that the US has witnessed “tremendous success over the last couple of days”. He even called his own approach of retracting US troops from the Syrian borders as “a little unconventional”.
The deal was announced by US Vice President, Mike Pence, on Twitter after meeting with President Erdogan along with Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo. According to the US President, it was some “tough love” that Turkey required to come in order. Pence had also credited the deal to the leadership of the President. President Trump even claimed that the US has “taken control of the oil in the Middle East”.
Great day for civilization
Donald Trump said it is a “great day for civilization” as Turkey agreed to declare a ceasefire on Northeastern Syria after a week of offensive announced by Turkish President, Tayyip Erdogan.
However, earlier the Turkish President had confessed that he can not declare a ceasefire and even after President Trump threatened to impose sanctions on the Turkish government along with the ones who were responsible for the destruction in Northeastern Syria. President Erdogan had also said that the sanctions do not bother them and moreover, he said that he can't "keep track of Trump's tweets". Amidst those talks, this deal between the US and Turkey will save millions of lives according to Donald Trump.
Optimism seemed odd
President Trump's statements seemed odd considering the previous statements by President Erdogan who told the President of United States Donald Trump on October 16 that Turkey will not declare a ceasefire in northeastern Syria for a negotiation with the Kurdish forces. Currently, Turkey has an ongoing military operation against the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia to eradicate all “terrorist” forces and create a safe zone around the border. The Russia-backed army in Syria has moved on to the key city of Manbij which was earlier abandoned by the US forces. President Trump had retracted all US troops from northeastern Syria ahead of Turkey's military offensive in Syria.
(With AP inputs)
Updated 16:27 IST, October 19th 2019