Turkey, US reached understanding on Syria

Turkey and the US reached an understanding of historical importance regarding the establishment of a secure zone in Syria in a phone call held by the leaders of the two countries on Monday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday, DS reported.

Speaking at the Justice and Development (AK Party) Party's parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday (Jan. 15(, Erdogan said that he told his US counterpart that Turkey will do its part to resolve the issues in Syria.

"US President Donald Trump once again confirmed the withdrawal of troops from Syria in a phone call yesterday, and we decided to continue to hold bilateral talks on all issues regarding Syria, including a safe zone to be created by Turkey along the border," Erdogan said.

Earlier on Monday, Trump on Twitter said the US was starting a "long overdue" pullout from Syria, and Washington would strike from a nearby existing base if ISIS started to re-form.

Trump also said Washington would "economically devastate" Turkey if Ankara decided to strike against the US-backed People's Protection Units (YPG) militiamen in the region.

I told Trump once again that Turkey prioritizes an effective fight against ISIS and other terrorist groups in Syria, Erdogan said, adding that he also told his counterpart that Turkey welcomed everyone fleeing Syria with open arms, regardless of their ethnic or religious background, and that the YPG oppresses all groups, including Arabs, Kurds and Christians, who do not submit to their rule.