Trump Says Turkey Doing a 'Good Job' in Syria, He and Erdoğan Get Along 'Very Well'

Source:AA

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US President Donald Trump yesterday (December 4) praised Turkey's efforts in Syria after an "unplanned" meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of the NATO summit in London.

Speaking to reporters ahead of his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in London, Trump said, "It was a very good meeting," adding that they discussed many issues, including the latest developments in Syria.

"We're getting along very well. The border and the safe zone is working out very well... and I give a lot of credit to Turkey for that. The cease-fire is holding very much," Trump added.

He defended his decision in October to pull out US troops from northern Syria, saying Turkey's efforts in the region earned "great respect" from many people.

"They have been doing a job. And they've been doing a good job also on the border and in the safe zone," he stressed.

Turkey on October 9 launched the "Operation Peace Spring" in northern Syria "to remove the Kurdish People's Defense Units (YPG) from the area, to secure the border region, and repatriate millions of Syrian refugees."

Under two separate deals with the US and Russia, Turkey paused the operation to allow the withdrawal of YPG from a planned Syrian "safe zone."

Ankara wants YPG to withdraw from the region so the "safe zone" can be created to pave the way for the safe return of some 2 million refugees.

Turkey's military operation drew sharp criticism from the Pentagon, which had long supported the YPG group in the fight against ISIS in the region. (EKN/VK)