Turkish president Erdogan wants twelve observation posts to be set up in northeastern Syria, from the border with Iraq in the east to the Euphrates, 300 kilometers to the west.
According to him, the Kurdish YPG militias must leave the “safe zone” of 440 by 32 kilometers within five days, based on the ceasefire agreement with America yesterday. The American envoy for Syria James Jeffrey says, however, that it is about a zone of only 120 kilometers wide.
Despite the ceasefire, there was fighting today between the Turkish army and Kurdish militias. However, there were fewer fights than in recent days and it was relatively calm. Plumes of smoke were visible above the border town of Ras al-Ain. According to the Syrian Democratic Armed Forces (SDF), of which the Kurdish YPG is the most important organization, Turkey has violated the file and the army has targeted civilian targets, among other things.
Just spoke to President @RTErdogan of Turkey. He told me there was minor sniper and mortar fire that was quickly eliminated. He very much wants the ceasefire, or pause, to work. Likewise, the Kurds want it, and the ultimate solution, to happen. Too bad there wasn’t…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 18, 2019
President Trump tweeted that his Turkish counterpart Erdogan had told him that there had been small battles that had stopped quickly.