Kurds, Turkey reach truce in northern Syria

Washington said the offensive by its NATO ally risked undermining the fight against Islamic State because it was focusing on Kurdish-aligned militias.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Turkish army and the Kurdish-led Jarabulus Military Council reached a loose agreement under the supervision of the United States to stop fighting in northern Syria.

General Joseph Votel, the commander at the US Central Command announced the ceasfire in a press conference on Tuesday.

The agreement is between the YPG-led Jarabulus Military Council and the Turkish army under the supervision of the US-led Anti-Islamic State (IS) Coalition.

Votel said that Turkish army amy deploy troops 15 kilometers into Syria as long as they focus on fighting the IS.

Turkish-backed forces began the offensive last week by capturing the Syrian frontier town of Jarablus from Islamic State. The IS seemed to have evacuated the city before the Turkish-backed forces arrived.

The forces later advanced on areas controlled by Kurdish-aligned militias which have U.S. support in battling jihadists.

Votel stated that the US supported the Turkish operation to fight IS in Jarabulus, but US withdraw its support when the focus turned against Kurds.

Washington said the offensive by its NATO ally risked undermining the fight against Islamic State because it was focusing on Kurdish-aligned militias.

France also criticized Turkey for attacking Kurds instead of the IS.

Ankara says it will not take orders from anyone on how to protect the nation.

But YPG spokesperson confirmed the reports and stated that a temporary truce has been reached.

Following statements by Kurdish and US officials, Turkish media sources reported that Turkey rejected any truce with Kurdish-led forces in northern Syria, stating that “Turkey will hit YPG unless it moves east of the Euphrates.”

On August 25, the Turkish army, allied with factions of the Free Syrian Army launched an offensive called “Euphrates Shield” that aimed at “clearing terrorist groups from the Turkish border region, tightening border security, and supporting Syria’s territorial integrity.”

Following the start of the Turkish-led operation, Turkish fighter jets and artillery attacked positions belonging to an ally of the Kurdish-led SDF in the vicinity of the northern Syrian town of Jarabulus on the Turkish border.

Scores of civilians have been killed and wounded as a result of Turkish offensive in the Kurdish-controlled regions.

 

Editing by Ava Homa