03:16Turkey: Erdogan confirms US troops began withdrawal from northeastern Syria
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has confirmed the withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria during a press conference in Ankara on Monday after Washington announced the move in a sudden policy shift on Sunday.
"The withdrawal has started, as Trump stated. Now, counterparts are carrying out their work and will continue to do so," said Erdogan.
"They [the US] say we want to let go of control. We cannot look after them anymore. It's enough," said Erdogan speaking of Washington’s decision to stop monitoring the activities of the so-called Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) in the area.
The shift in US foreign policy is perceived negatively by the Kurdish population near the border who had long perceived Washington as an ally in northern Syria.
Erdogan also said he was likely to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington in November to discuss the state of bilateral relations and developments in the Middle East region, and to find common ground on the F-35 jet fighters issue.
03:16Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has confirmed the withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria during a press conference in Ankara on Monday after Washington announced the move in a sudden policy shift on Sunday.
"The withdrawal has started, as Trump stated. Now, counterparts are carrying out their work and will continue to do so," said Erdogan.
"They [the US] say we want to let go of control. We cannot look after them anymore. It's enough," said Erdogan speaking of Washington’s decision to stop monitoring the activities of the so-called Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) in the area.
The shift in US foreign policy is perceived negatively by the Kurdish population near the border who had long perceived Washington as an ally in northern Syria.
Erdogan also said he was likely to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington in November to discuss the state of bilateral relations and developments in the Middle East region, and to find common ground on the F-35 jet fighters issue.