Turkish Foreign Minister Mouloud Gawishoglu said yesterday that the new US proposals concerning the safe area in northern Syria do not satisfy Turkey, adding that the two countries have not agreed on how to get Kurdish fighters out of the region, how deep they are or who will control them.
Javishoglu made the remarks to reporters in Ankara after three days of talks between the Turkish and US delegations.
Talks by James Jeffrey, the US special envoy on Syria, to establish a safe area in northeastern Syria, and the developments of the roadmap for Manbaj, west of the planned area, were discussed.
Gawishoglu noted that Turkey would launch a new offensive in Syria unless an agreement was reached soon with the Americans on the safe area.
He added that the US delegation had made new proposals concerning the safe area, including joint patrols, but gave no details on participation. "Washington must make satisfactory proposals for us, or close to our proposals," he said, adding that Turkey's patience "has run out" . "Our wish is to establish a safe area soon. Otherwise, we will do whatever is necessary. "
"We have the impression that they want to engage in a stalled process here, like in Manbaj," he said.
The US embassy in Turkey said yesterday that Washington and Ankara are committed to making rapid and concrete progress on the agreed roadmap for Manbij.