Turkish president, German chancellor talk on phone

By Ali Murat Alhas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke on the phone on Sunday, according to an official statement.

"During the meeting, bilateral and regional developments, as well as developments in northeastern Syria, were discussed," the Turkish Communication Directorate said.

The conversation came as the clock ticks down in northeastern Syria for terrorist YPG/PKK forces to withdraw south, with a 150-hour deadline falling on Tuesday, Oct. 29.

Germany was not involved in the deal which produced the deadline.

Launched on Oct. 9, Turkey’s anti-terror Operation Peace Spring aims to eliminate terrorist YPG/PKK elements from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

Last Tuesday, Ankara and Moscow reached a deal under which YPG/PKK terrorists will pull back 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) south of Turkey’s border with Syria within 150 hours, and security forces from Turkey and Russia will mount joint patrols there.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.