Turkey Syria offensive: Trump lifts Turkey sanctions after deal (2024)

The US is lifting sanctions imposed on Turkey nine days ago over its offensive against Kurdish fighters in northern Syria, President Donald Trump says.

His decision came after Russia agreed with Turkey to deploy troops to extend a ceasefire along the Syrian border.

Turkey's assault began after Mr Trump's unexpected move to withdraw US troops from northern Syria earlier this month.

"Let someone else fight over this long bloodstained sand," the president said in a TV address from the White House.

He was heavily criticised by both Democrats and Republicans for the abrupt military pullout, as the Kurds targeted by Turkey had been key US allies in the fight against the Islamic State group (IS) in the region.

Turkey ordered the military operation against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia - which it considers a terrorist organisation - on 9 October, days after the US withdrawal was announced.

What did President Trump say?

"The sanctions will be lifted unless something happens that we're not happy with," Mr Trump announced on Wednesday.

He said Turkey had assured him that it would halt fighting in the region and would make the recently agreed ceasefire permanent.

Turkey wants to create a 30km (20-mile) deep "safe zone" along the Syrian side of the border free of Kurdish fighters. It wants to relocate there some of the two million Syrian refugees it is currently hosting.

President Trump said on Wednesday he would keep a "small number" of troops in parts of the country to protect oil installations.

He also urged Turkey to commit to securing IS militants, and make sure the jihadist group did not regain any Syrian territory.

A senior state department official earlier said more than 100 IS prisoners had already escaped in the chaos since Turkey's offensive began, and had not yet been located.

Turkey Syria offensive: Trump lifts Turkey sanctions after deal (1)Turkey Syria offensive: Trump lifts Turkey sanctions after deal (2)

Turkey Syria offensive: Trump lifts Turkey sanctions after deal (3)Turkey Syria offensive: Trump lifts Turkey sanctions after deal (4)

According to President Trump, it was US diplomacy alone that halted the Turkish military operations in Syria and instituted a lasting deal to save Kurdish lives.

Others may see a different reality, that Russia and Turkey did the deal and the whole episode was precipitated by Washington's willingness to abandon its Kurdish allies.

This press conference was not about diplomatic realities but the electoral cycle - an effort by Mr Trump to try to turn diplomatic catastrophe into political credits.

He hopes the riff on ending pointless wars in the Middle East will play well with his base, who care little about the tortuous detail of the Middle East powder keg.

But as to Washington's abiding strategic interests in the region, there was no mention.

Turkey Syria offensive: Trump lifts Turkey sanctions after deal (5)Turkey Syria offensive: Trump lifts Turkey sanctions after deal (6)

What was in the deal?

President Trump hailed the deal agreed by Russia and Turkey on Tuesday as a "big success".

It was struck during a pause in Turkey's offensive, and will see Russian and Syrian troops facilitate the removal of Kurdish fighters in an area up to 30km deep along the border.

Earlier on Wednesday, Russian forces deployed to the two key border towns of Kobane and Manbij.

Turkey Syria offensive: Trump lifts Turkey sanctions after deal (7)Turkey Syria offensive: Trump lifts Turkey sanctions after deal (8)

Turkey Syria offensive: Trump lifts Turkey sanctions after deal (9)Turkey Syria offensive: Trump lifts Turkey sanctions after deal (10)

As part of the deal, Turkey will continue to control an area it took in the recent offensive between the towns of Ras al-Ain and Tal Abyad.

The deal also sets out plans for joint Turkish-Russian patrols along the border from next week.

Mazloum Abdi, the head of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Force (which is dominated by the YPG) publicly thanked Mr Trump on Twitter, and said the US president had promised to maintain their partnership.

In a statement, the SDF said Mr Abdi had also thanked the Russian defence minister for saving the Kurds from the "scourge" of war. But he also expressed reservations over some points of the deal, without giving further details.

Turkey halted its assault last week at the request of the US to facilitate the removal of Kurdish forces from the "safe zone".

What has the cost of the offensive been?

Some 120 civilians have been killed in the battle, along with 259 Kurdish fighters, 196 Turkish-backed Syrian rebels and seven Turkish soldiers, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based monitoring group.

Twenty civilians have also been killed in attacks on Turkish territory by the YPG, Turkish officials say.

Russian military police enter Kobane
How long will Russia and Turkey be on same page?
Who supplies weapons to Turkey?
Turkey v Syria's Kurds - what's going on?
'My children became ill from the fear'
Turkey Syria offensive: Trump lifts Turkey sanctions after deal (2024)

References

Top Articles
'GMA' savings guide: Discounts and freebies on food, fun and more to help you save
Beginner's Sourdough Bread Recipe
Edutone Skyward
C Chord for Ukulele: Variations, Styles, and Techniques
Minus8 Patreon
Unveiling the Charm of Rio Vista, California
Schluter & Balik Funeral Home Obituaries
Which is better, bonds or treasury bills?
General Surgery Spreadsheet 2024
Iapd Lookup
Craislist Vt
Valeriewhitebby Footjob
Po Box 6726 Portland Or 97228
Telegraph Ukraine podcast presenter David Knowles dies aged 32
National Weather Service Monterey
Do people over 65 pay federal income tax?
Craiglist Tulsa Ok
Sunday Td Bank
Zipcar Miami Airport
The Four Fours Puzzle: To Infinity and Beyond!
Teenbeautyfitness
2021 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT for sale - Richardson, TX - craigslist
Rick Steves Forum
Shop - Mademoiselle YéYé
Ihub Fnma Message Board
Theater X Orange Heights Florida
Toernooien, drives en clubcompetities
Mary Lou Willey Connors Obituary
Squeezequeens
Verde News Cottonwood Az
855-392-7812
Craigslist Free Charlottesville Va
Huadu Cn Fedex
Here's everything Apple just announced: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4 and more
JetBlue, Spirit end $3.8 billion merger agreement after losing antitrust suit
Lacy Aaron Schmidt Where Is He Now
Jodie Sweetin Breast Reduction
Terrier Hockey Blog
Stark Cjis Court Docket
Claudy Jongstra on LinkedIn: Tonight at 7 PM opens NAP+, a new, refreshing and enriching addition to…
Craigslist For Sale By Owner Chillicothe Ohio
Bn9 Weather Radar
Lagoon Pontoons Reviews
Is There A Sprite Zero Shortage? - (September 2024)
Mnps Payroll Calendar 2022-23
Ascensionpress Com Login
Hit Entertainment Wiki
Luminous Mysteries - Rosary Meditations
Kirstin Kresse
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness - Wikiquote
American Medical Response hiring EMT Basic - Bridgeport in Bridgeport, CT | LinkedIn
I spruced up my kitchen for £131 - people can’t believe it’s the same room
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Frankie Dare

Last Updated:

Views: 6068

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Frankie Dare

Birthday: 2000-01-27

Address: Suite 313 45115 Caridad Freeway, Port Barabaraville, MS 66713

Phone: +3769542039359

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Baton twirling, Stand-up comedy, Leather crafting, Rugby, tabletop games, Jigsaw puzzles, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.