EU leaders have demanded a complete end to the Turkish military offensive after announcing a ceasefire in northern Syria.
In a statement adopted at night on Friday at the EU summit in Brussels, it merely states that the fight break was "taken note of". However, Turkey must "end" its military offensive, withdraw its troops and respect international humanitarian law.
The EU leaders criticized Turkey for causing "unacceptable human suffering". It undermines "the fight against the IS and threatens the European security substantially". However, the resolutions of EU foreign ministers on Monday did not tighten them. An EU-wide arms embargo against Turkey did not materialize.
Truce turns out to be a temporary fight break
US Vice President Mike Pence announced a five-day ceasefire for northern Syria on Thursday after meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.
However, the written statement is only about a fight break, which should last 120 hours and the Kurds dictates conditions: Their People's Defense Units (YPG) should deduct their fighters from a 32-kilometer "security zone". Subsequently, Turkey is to complete its use according to US data. The exact length of this safety zone initially remained unclear.
The head of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Maslum Abdi, announced that he would temporarily stop fighting. "We are ready to stick to the fire break." The commitment applies to the sector between the Syrian cities of Ras al-Ain and Tal Abjad on the Turkish border. Other areas were not spoken, Abdi said.
"Sometimes you have to let them fight a bit," says Trump
US President Donald Trump, who had been sharply criticized for his Syria policy in the US and internationally, spoke of a "great day for civilization." Erdogan is a "friend" and "incredible leader". The Kurds are "incredibly happy with this solution", after all, they have "saved their lives".
However, US Special Envoy to Syria James Jeffrey said the Kurds are far from happy with the agreement. Washington had to bring them with "carrot and whip" to a commitment. "There is no doubt that the YPG wishes it could stay in these areas."
During a campaign appearance in Texas, Trump said of Kurds and Turks: "Sometimes you have to let them fight a bit, like two kids (...), and then you pull them apart."
Democratic US Senator Tim Kaine also sharply criticized the agreement. Trump helps Turkey to expel the Kurds from their homeland in northern Syria. This is in view of the achievements of the Kurds in the fight against the jihadist militia Islamic State (IS) "outrageous".
Turkey started its military offensive against the Kurds in northern Syria last week. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, whose claims can not be independently verified, nearly 500 people have been killed, including dozens of civilians. More than 300,000 people were evicted.
