US President Donald Trump on Thursday commented on his country's agreement with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to halt Turkey's military operation in northern Syria, calling it an "amazing result" and "saving the lives of Kurds."
Trump thanked the Kurds at a news conference, adding: "We have saved our Kurdish allies, ...., that the cease-fire saved their lives."
"The agreement on a ceasefire in Syria with Turkey is an amazing result," he said. "Erdogan is a tough man and has done the right thing."
"This is a great day for Turkey and the Kurds," he said, declaring sanctions "no longer necessary".
In his speech, Trump stressed that his country will continue its efforts to defeat the Islamic State terrorist organization.
On Thursday, US Vice President Mike Pence announced that Turkey had agreed to end its military operation in northern Syria within five days, after the withdrawal of Kurdish fighters from this region within the deadline.
He pointed out that the Turkish military operation will stop in order to allow the withdrawal of Kurdish troops to safe areas 20 miles deep south of the border with Turkey within 120 hours, and will be suspended once and after the withdrawal.