Members of PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU, and Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, which Turkey regards as a terror group, withdraw from Ras al-Ayn, Syria on October 20, 2019 with their own vehicles and ambulances of The Red Cross after Turkey and U.S. reached an agreement to pause its Operation Peace Spring for 120 hours to allow the withdrawal of PKK and YPG forces from the planned safe zone. ( Huseyin Nasir - Anadolu Agency )
Turkey allows terrorists to leave city in line with its agreement with U.S. on Oct. 17
Turkey allows YPG/PKK terrorists cornered in Syria’s Rasulayn city to leave the area with ambulances and civilian vehicles, Anadolu Agency reporters said Sunday.
In line with Turkey’s agreement with the U.S. on Oct. 17, terrorists used the route opened by Turkish troops and left the city for Qamishli district of Hasakah city.
While the clock is ticking for Turkey’s pause on its counter-terrorism operation in northern Syria, it is estimated that a total of 1,000 YPG/PKK terrorists are positioned in the area.
Terrorists claim Turkey hampers them from withdrawing from the city; however, according to a video footage obtained by Anadolu Agency, it is clear that Turkish security forces provide every kind of convenience for their withdrawal.
On Saturday, Turkish Ministry of National Defense said it “closely followed” developments in region under 120-hour pause agreement on its operation, which was hammered with the U.S.
“There are absolutely no impediments to withdrawal in this regard, and the information concerning the roads to be used safely was transmitted to the U.S. military authorities,” the ministry had said.
On Oct. 9, Turkey had launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.
On Oct. 17, Turkey agreed to pause its Operation Peace Spring for 120 hours to allow the withdrawal of terrorist YPG/PKK forces from the planned safe zone.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence also agreed on Turkey having 20 miles (32 kilometers) of safe zone south of the Turkish border in Syria.
Ankara wants to clear northern Syria east of the Euphrates River of the terrorist PKK and its Syrian offshoot, the YPG/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 European Union -- has been responsible for deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.
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#US
#withdrawal
#YPG/PKK terror group
