ISTANBUL : Turkey will primarily enforce a "safe zone" in northern Syria, according to a joint statement with the United States after high-level talks in Ankara at which the sides agreed the Turkish military would pause attacks against a Kurdish militia. Speaking after four hours of meetings between delegations from both sides, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Ankara had gotten what it wanted. "We will pause Operation Peace Spring for PKK/YPG to leave the safe zone. "When the terrorist elements completely leave the safe zone, we can stop the operation," Cavusoglu said. Ankara considers the YPG a terrorist organisation with links to Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants in Turkey.

Source: Mint October 17, 2019 19:41 UTC