Turkish-US delegations meeting on northern Syria ends

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - An almost three-hour meeting between Turkish and U.S. delegations on Thursday, co-chaired by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, in the Turkish capital Ankara has ended.

The delegations met at the presidential complex and the meeting lasted for two hours and 40 minutes.

Closed-doors meeting between the Turkish and U.S. delegations began following the talks between Erdogan and Pence.

U.S. officials had said Pence and his delegation were in Turkey to discuss Turkey's ongoing anti-terror operation that began on Oct. 9 in northern Syria, and related issues.

Pence arrived in Ankara earlier today leading a delegation, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Turkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

Ankara wants to clear northern Syria east of the Euphrates River of the terrorist PKK and its Syrian offshoot, the YPG.

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 deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.