Turkish, US officials discuss Syria safe zone in Ankara

By Ali Murat Alhas

ANKARA (AA) - Establishment of a safe zone in northern Syria is only possible if Turkey’s expectations are met, a top Turkish official told the U.S. envoy to Syria on Wednesday.

Turkey’s presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin and James Jeffrey met in the capital Ankara and discussed the proposal for a safe zone east of Euphrates River and recent developments in Syria, as well as counter-terrorism, particularly against Daesh and the YPG/PKK.

The meeting explicitly underscored Turkey's priorities for the national security.

The Manbij road map, a long-awaited committee to revise Syria’s constitution, and a political solution to Syria crisis ensuring the territorial integrity of the war-torn country were among the issues of the meeting.

Turkish official also said the cooperation between Turkey and the U.S. regarding Syria should be based on trust and transparency.

Earlier Wednesday, Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu also commented on the issue of safe zone, saying: “New U.S. proposals on a Syria safe zone are not at all satisfactory for Turkey."

Earlier this week, National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and Jeffrey met in Ankara and exchanged views.

Last Friday, Akar told then-acting U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper: “The only military force that is ready, competent, and appropriate for the establishment of a safe zone in northern Syria is the Turkish Armed Forces.”

Esper was confirmed as defense secretary on Tuesday.

Since 2016, Turkey conducted two major military operations in northwestern Syria -- Operations Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch -- to purge the region of terrorist groups Daesh and the YPG, which is the Syrian branch of the terrorist organization PKK.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including many women, children, and infants.