Turkey's Erdogan: In Syria, US did its part

The US has done its part by deciding to withdraw its troops from Syria, Turkey’s president said today.

Speaking to reporters, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said they are focusing more on the announced US troop withdrawal than the French president’s statement that French soldiers will stay.

We are continuing our cooperation with US President Donald Trump on Syria, Erdogan said.

He added, “America has done its part.”

He also said arrangements are being made for a possible meeting between him and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Erdogan has signalled that a cross-border operation against the PYD/YPG in Syria will happen soon, possibly including areas where US troops currently are. Since 2016, Ankara has carried out two similar military operations in northern Syria.

Trump last week made the surprise announcement that the U.S. would withdraw its troops from Syria. His decision followed a phone call with Erdogan in which the two leaders agreed on the need for more effective coordination over the civil war-torn country.