Reactions to US-Turkey Agreement on Temporary Ceasefire in Northern Syria

The announcement of a temporary ceasefire in northeastern Syria between Turkey and Syrian Kurdish quasi-military forces on Thursday has sparked widespread reactions, with a number of American lawmakers criticizing the ceasefire.

Mike Pence, Vice President of the United States, announced on Thursday that an agreement had been reached with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Turkey, on a five-day ceasefire in northeastern Syria.

The Vice President of the United States said that Turkish military operations would be halted for 120 hours [equivalent to five days] to allow Kurdish quasi-military forces to withdraw from the “designated line,” meaning 32 kilometers from the border, after which operations would end.

Reuters news agency reports that some aspects of this agreement are still unclear, but based on what has been announced, if this ceasefire agreement is implemented, Turkey will achieve all its objectives and, in effect, Kurdish quasi-military forces will withdraw from the 30-kilometer zone along the Turkish border.

The report adds that it is still unclear whether the People’s Defense Units will accept this agreement and implement it.

Turkey calls the Kurdish quasi-military forces known as the “People’s Defense Units” a “terrorist organization” and has defined its own “safe zone” as 30 to 35 kilometers deep into Syrian territory.

Mazloum Kobani, commander of the Kurdish quasi-military forces, has also stated that they will only accept a ceasefire in the border area between Ras al-Ain and Tel Abyad.

Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, also said on Thursday, following Mike Pence’s remarks: “We are suspending the operation… We can only stop the attacks as long as all terrorist elements withdraw from this area.”

Trump Welcomes the Ceasefire

Donald Trump, President of the United States, while welcoming the ceasefire in northern Syria, said that everyone had been seeking such an agreement for ten years, but could not achieve it.

Donald Trump emphasized that as soon as Turkey implements this ceasefire agreement, the United States will lift the sanctions imposed in this regard.

The President of the United States further stated that Turkey had legitimate concerns about the presence of terrorists in the border area.

He added: The Kurds are also very pleased with this agreement.

Democrats’ Reaction

Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and Chuck Schumer, Democratic Leader in the Senate, called the ceasefire announced in northern Syria “shameful.”

Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer stated in a statement that this ceasefire agreement seriously undermines the reliability of American foreign policy and sends a dangerous message to both friends and enemies that they should not trust our words. President Erdoğan gave nothing in return, and President Trump gave him everything he wanted.

Mitt Romney, Republican Senator, also criticized the ceasefire in his speech on the Senate floor, saying: From what was achieved and called a victory. This agreement is far from a victory.

He further criticized the decision of the President of the United States regarding the withdrawal of American forces from Syria.

In this regard, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said: The fact that the massacre has been stopped is good news.

He said that a chance should be given to the ceasefire. However, Lindsey Graham emphasized that he will not stop his efforts to get Turkey out of northern Syria.

Source: Radio Farda