While adding that Washington wanted to broker a ceasefire, the US official made the statement on Thursday. Trump, in a week of mixed messages, initially voiced understanding for Turkey before criticizing the offensive and warning of sanctions if the operation is not "humane." Asked to elaborate on the remarks, the US official said that Trump had asked diplomats to seek an end to the violence. He noted that Turkey in the past has reached ceasefires with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged decades of separatist violence inside Turkey. Erdogan as well as the Trump administration link the PKK to the Kurdish People's Protection Unit (YPG), which dominates the Syrian Democratic Forces in Syria.

Source: Dhaka Tribune October 11, 2019 04:30 UTC