The US is planning to set up a safe zone in northern Syria to reduce the risk of terror attacks on Turkey and avoid further tension in the region, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday.
“WE WILL FIND A SOLUTION TO THE POLITICAL PROBLEM IN SYRIA”
Speaking at a joint news conference with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas following their meeting in Berlin, Pompeo underlined that the US will continue to support UN efforts for a political solution in Syria and continue its efforts to reduce risk of violence.
“You’ve seen the work that we have done with the Turks in Manbij the west of the Euphrates River,” Pompeo said referring to the joint patrols by the US and Turkish troops in the area. “And we are attempting to set up a system something that can add to that. Call it a buffer zone, call it what you will. That will reduce the risk of terrorists attacking from Syria into Turkey,” he said.
The activities of the terrorist PYD/PKK group in northern Syria has been a major security concern for Ankara, while the US administration viewed the group as a “reliable partner” in the fight against Daesh.
Turkish leaders have long warned their US counterparts that one cannot rely on a terrorist organization in the fight against another terrorist group. The PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the EU, waged a terror campaign against Turkey for more than 30 years and has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people.