DAMASCUS, Oct 19 (NNN-SANA) – The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), accused Turkish forces of violating the cease-fire in northern Syria, urging the U.S. to send observers to monitor the cease-fire.
The SDF said, its forces have abided by the cease-fire agreement that was reached the previous day, between Turkey and the U.S., regarding halting the Turkish operation against the Kurdish forces in northern Syria.
It said, the Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels didn’t commit to the deal and attacked the town of Bad al-Kheir, in the countryside of Ayn al-Ayn city, in northeastern Syria, killing five SDF fighters and a number of civilians.
“Hundred of thousands of civilians have been displaced, since Turkey launched its campaign last week,” said the SDF, urging the UN, the Arab League and “particularly” the U.S., to send observers to monitor the implementation of the cease-fire.
On Thursday evening, U.S. Vice President, Mike Pence said, Turkey agreed to a cease-fire, under which, the SDF must dismantle their defensive fortifications and pull troops from the border area.
Following his meeting with Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Pence announced that the Turkish military operations will pause for five days, adding, the U.S. will help facilitate an “orderly withdrawal” of Kurdish-led troops from what Turkey has termed as a “safe zone” on the Syrian-Turkish border.
The cease-fire agreement comes a week after Turkey launched a crushing offensive, to eliminate the Kurdish forces from border areas with Turkey.– NNN-SANA
