On Thursday, October 17, in Ankara, negotiations were held between representatives of the United States and Turkey. They were dedicated to the military operation "Source of Peace", which the Turkish side is conducting in northeast Syria. Following its results, a ceasefire was announced for 120 hours to withdraw from this zone representatives of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which Turkey considers a terrorist organization.

"The United States and Turkey have made mutual commitments to reach a peaceful solution and agree on the future of the security zone, working at the level of the international community to ensure peace and security in this border region of Syria," said US Vice President Mike Pence.

At the same time, he noted that Washington received assurances from the Syrian Kurds that they would adhere to the agreements reached between Turkey and the United States. Also, according to Pence, the American side did not make any concessions to Ankara for the sake of concluding this agreement. The US Vice President said that it was only about lifting the sanctions imposed because of Operation Source of Peace, but the restriction would be lifted only after the ceasefire began to operate on an ongoing basis.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Chavshuoglu noted that this is not only about withdrawing Kurdish formations.

“We agreed that the forces of the Syrian Kurds will surrender their heavy weapons and their fortifications will be destroyed,” Anadolu reports to Cavusoglu.

He also emphasized that the suspension of Operation Source of Peace does not mean reaching an agreement on a ceasefire with Syrian Kurds. The diplomat said that the Turkish military would not leave the zone of the military operation, and talk about its completion can go "only after the withdrawal of terrorist elements."

  • Turkish President Recep Erdogan and US Vice President Mike Pence in Ankara
  • Reuters
  • © Shaun Tandon / Pool

Kurdish controversy

Meanwhile, media reported that the Kursk forces in Syria agreed to retreat from their positions to protect civilians.

“It is important for us to come to such an agreement so that no one is hurt and ceasefire, so that our people continue to be safe. We are located at a distance of five kilometers (from the border with Turkey. - RT), and in some areas - at a distance of 14 kilometers, it’s not a problem for us to go a little further to protect our people, ”RIA Novosti quoted the words of the co-chair of the“ Council of Democratic Syria ” Riyadh Darara.

At the same time, he noted that he did not have details about the agreements reached between Turkey and the United States.

However, according to media reports, the Kurds do not agree to create a 30-kilometer security zone.

“We previously stated that we reject Turkey’s offer to enter Syria to a depth of 30 km,” Rudaw.net quotes Aldar Khalil, representative of the self-proclaimed Democratic Federation of Northern Syria.

Meanwhile, the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDS) faction, Mazlum Kobani, explained that the US-Turkish agreement concerns a small section between the Syrian cities of Tell Abyad and Ras al Ain.

“The agreement does not apply to other areas of northern Syria. It will be discussed later, ”he added.

Disadvantageous conditions

First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Defense Alexander Sherin recalled that only the Russian Armed Forces are located on the territory of Syria legally, in contrast to the contingent of Turkey and the United States. In this regard, according to him, any agreements without taking into account the position of Damascus are incorrect.

“America and Turkey, most likely, started some kind of game with us. And, perhaps, unpopular ground operations that the United States cannot or does not want to carry out, they gave them to the Turks. Now Turkey can try to receive some dividends both from the USA and the Russian Federation, ”RIA Novosti quoted the MP as saying.

According to the Director General of the Center for Political Information, Alexei Mukhin, we should not talk about the imminent completion of the military operation "Source of Peace".

“I think it’s still a question of Turkey continuing the military operation. Most likely, they just play with such a quick game with Trump and his team. That is, they pretend that they are concluding some kind of agreement, but in fact it is an attempt to move the Kurds and Kurdish units from their place, ”he said.

At the same time, according to Mukhin, judging by the available information, the conditions from the point of view of the Kurds are very unfavorable, so US President Donald Trump should not rush and record these negotiations as an asset.

Operation Source of Peace

Recall, October 9, Ankara launched a military operation in northern Syria. According to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, it aims to destroy the militants of the Islamic State (IS) *, as well as members of Kurdish groups recognized by Ankara as terrorist.

A few days later, the head of the White House, Donald Trump, announced the imposition of sanctions against the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Defense of Turkey in connection with the military operation “Source of Peace”.

Along with this, the US President’s letter to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan appeared in the media, in which Trump urges the leader of the republic not to take responsibility for the deaths of thousands of people. In addition, he warned of his readiness to destroy the Turkish economy.

“History will treat you favorably if you act correctly and humanely. She will treat you like a devil if nothing good happens. Don't make yourself cool. Do not be a fool! ”- said the letter.

According to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, the answer to this message from Washington was the start of a military operation.

“We have never seen a relationship drop so much as to receive such letters. The American people themselves appreciated this letter, as many in social networks called it unacceptable, ”the Turkish diplomat said.

* “Islamic State” (ISIS, ISIS) - the organization was recognized as terrorist by decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of December 29, 2014.