US Delegation Visits Joint Operation Center for Syria 'Safe Zone'

A US delegation visited the joint operation center yesterday (September 11) in southeastern Urda province of Turkey, the National Defense Ministry has announced.

Turkey and the US agreed to establish a safe zone in northern Syria on August 7 and develop a "peace corridor" to facilitate the movement of displaced Syrians who want to return home.

The same US delegation, led by Deputy Commander of U.S European Command Lt. Gen. Stephen M. Twitty and Deputy Commander of US Central Command Lt. Gen. Thomas W. Bergeson, visited the headquarters of the Turkish General Staff on Tuesday.

Despite the earlier agreement, Turkey and the US are not totally on the same page according to the statements by high-level officials from Turkey, the state-run AA reported.

President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sunday said Turkey could launch its own operation if the US did not take any "concrete steps" by late September. He previously said Turkey will let refugees cross into Europe if the safe zone in northern Syria is not established. (VK)

Source: AA