Small Wars Journal

Russia, Turkey Seal Power in Northeast Syria with Accord After American Troops Withdraw

Tue, 10/22/2019 - 5:02pm

Russia, Turkey Seal Power in Northeast Syria with Accord After American Troops Withdraw by Suzan Fraser and Vladimir Isachenkov – Associated Press

The leaders of Russia and Turkey announced an agreement Turkey for their two countries’ forces to jointly patrol almost the entire northeastern Syrian border after the withdrawal of Kurdish fighters. The deal would seal the two countries’ power in Syria, filling the void left by departing American troops after President Donald Trump abruptly ordered their withdrawal.

The announcement came as Kurdish fighters completed their pullout from a section of the Syrian-Turkish border as required by a U.S.-brokered cease-fire that was set to expire Tuesday night. Together the arrangements transform the map of northeast Syria, leaving Turkey in sole control over one section in the middle of the border, while Turkey, Russia and the Syrian government will have hands in the rest…

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