US VP, top diplomat to visit Turkey for talks

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - U.S. Vice President Mike Pence will soon depart for Turkey to hold talks with top officials regarding Ankara’s ongoing Operation Peace Spring in northeastern Syria, President Donald Trump said Tuesday.

Pence will be accompanied by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo when he departs Wednesday, Trump said in remarks delivered at the White House.

A U.S. delegation will leave Tuesday ahead of the departure of the senior officials, according to the president

The vice president's office released a statement adding Pence will be further accompanied by National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien, and Trump's special envoy for the anti-Daesh coalition James Jeffrey.

The talks will begin Thursday, the office said, and Pence is set to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a bilateral meeting.

"The Administration is resolved to maintain security in the region, the safety of civilians, and the continued detention of ISIS fighters," the office said, using another name for the Daesh terrorist organization.