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Republican Senators Chris van Hollen, Lindsey Graham, Richard Blumenthal, Marsha Blackburn and Jeanne Shaheen have addressed a letter to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo regarding the "reports of ongoing attacks against the Syrian Kurds by Turkey and its proxies outside of the designated safe zone" in northern Syria.
Sharing the full letter on his official website, Senator van Hollen has indicated, "These attacks, if true, would violate the ceasefire agreements and should prompt immediate action from the Administration."
Accordingly, the Senators have called for "tough economic sanctions against Turkey" if the the country has violated the US-Turkey agreement.
The Senators have sent the following letter to Pompeo:
'Take immediate action if reports are true'
"We write regarding reports that Turkey and Turkish-backed forces are operating outside the agreed-upon 'safe zone' in northeast Syria. We ask that the Administration take immediate action against Turkey if these reports are true."
"There have been numerous accounts that Turkish and/or Turkish-backed forces are attacking Syrian Kurds near Tal Tamr. If true, these attacks would violate the separate ceasefire agreements Ankara forged with both Washington and Moscow.
'Site of reported attacks outside the safe zone'
"As you underscored with Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu on October 31, the United States expects Turkey and Turkish-supported forces to adhere to the agreement reached on October 17.
"Ambassador James Jeffrey recently testified that this agreement required the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units and the Syrian Democratic Forces to withdraw 'roughly 120 kilometers wide and 30 kilometers deep' in northeast Syria. He stated that the safe zone established between the United States and Turkey extends south to the M4-M10 road.
"According to the agreement announced by Russia, this safe zone would exist between the towns of Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ain. President Trump subsequently also cited these safe zone parameters and the town of Tal Tamr, the site of reported recent attacks, is outside of the designated safe zone.
'Take swift measures with tough economic sanctions'
"In response to a question from Senator Van Hollen at a recent hearing, Ambassador Jeffrey asserted that if Turkey violated the terms of the safe zone agreement his recommendation 'would be to return to the sanctions, and that's where I strongly believe the administration is right now.'
"Given the stakes, time is of the essence. We ask that you immediately let us know if Turkey and/or its proxy forces are operating outside of the area that runs east-west between the towns of Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ain and south about 30 kilometers to the M4-M10 road. If so, does the Administration plan to impose sanctions on Turkey for violating the October 17 agreement?
"On several occasions, President Trump has threatened to 'destroy Turkey's economy' should Turkey violate its obligations. In keeping with this position, we ask that the Administration take swift measures to enforce the October 17 agreement with tough economic sanctions. In the meantime, we will continue to work in Congress on the passage of a bipartisan sanctions bill to protect our allies and uphold the credibility of the United States."
Sanctions likely to be discussed on November 13
On October 17, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Vice President Mike Pence visited Ankara and agreed with Turkey that the YPG forces would withdraw from a 32-kilometer designated safe zone in 120 hours. The sides also agreed on "the re-collection of YPG heavy weapons and disablement of their fortifications and all other fighting positions."
Shortly after this US-Turkey agreement on a possible safe zone, Turkey and Russia also reached an agreement on northern Syria.
Analysts anticipate that the issue of sanctions is likely to be discussed in the meeting to be held by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and US President Donald Trump at the White House on November 13. (PT/SD)
