Pompeo: Erdoğan Made Commitments on Protection of Kurds

* KRG Prime Minister Nachirvan Barzani and Mike Pompeo / Photograph: AA

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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has stated that they will withdraw forces from Syria despite Turkey's threats to their Kurdish allies. Pompeo has said that Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan "made commitments" regarding the Syrian Kurds:

"Erdoğan has made commitments; he understands that, he talks about he has no beef with the Kurds. We want to make sure that that's the case, and I'm confident that as Ambassador Jeffrey and others travel through the region in the days ahead, we'll make real progress on that.

"We're having conversations with them even as we speak about how we will effectuate this in a way that protects our forces, makes sure that the Americans, as we withdraw, are safe, and we will complete the mission of taking down the last elements of the caliphate before we depart."

"We are aware of the threats against Turkey"

Replying to a question from a reporter on Erdoğan calling the People's Defense Units (YPG) as an "existential threat" to Turkey, the Secretary of State has said,

"He's talked about terrorists being an existential threat. We acknowledge that there is a threat to Turkey from terrorists and we will be very supportive. Any place we find extremists and terrorists, we're prepared to support whatever country is ready to go after them. That includes Turkey and others."

* Pompeo and Masoud Barzani and Mike Pompeo / Photograph: KRG official website

Pompeo told Barzani about the strategy of withdrawal

During his visit in Iraq, Pompeo has met with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Masoud Barzani. At the meeting, President Barzani and Secretary Pompeo discussed a number of issues concerning the latest developments in the region, Iraq and the Middle East region in general, according to a press release from Barzani's official website.

Pompeo also told Barzani about the strategy of the US' withdrawal from Syria. The Secretary has met with KRG Prime Minister Nachirvan Barzani and KRG Security Agency Chief Masrur Barzani as well. (PT/VK)

Sources: masoudbarzani.krd, state.gov, Reuters, Washington Post