[Ankara 17th Reuters]-US Vice President Pence announced on Tuesday that Turkey has agreed to suspend military operations in northern Syria for five days. It gives a grace for the Kurdish forces to evacuate from the "safe zone" that Turkey plans to set up in the region for the return of Syrian refugees.
Vice President Pence met with Erdogan in Ankara, Turkey, and later announced at the press conference that the US and Turkey agreed to a ceasefire in Syria. “In 120 hours, the Syrian Kurdish militia organization“ People's Defense Force (YPG) ”will be evacuated from the safe zone,” explained that all military operations would be suspended until the evacuation was completed.
Vice President Pence further stated that “If the ceasefire is implemented, the United States will not trigger any additional sanctions against Turkey” and announced that it would lift economic sanctions against Turkey when Turkey finished its military operations.
Following the announcement of a ceasefire agreement, President Trump praised Twitter for “great news”. "Thanks to Erdogan," he said, "We will save millions of lives!"
According to Vice President Pence, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), led by YPG, has agreed to evacuate from the safety zone and has already begun evacuation.
According to a joint statement issued by the US and Turkey, the safe zone is mainly managed by the Turkish army. Turkey's Foreign Minister Chabushiol said he would stop the military operation, "we will end the military operation once the terrorist molecule has completely withdrawn from the safe zone." The Turkish government views YPG as a terrorist organization.