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Trump lifts all sanctions against Turkey
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What to know about Trump's announcement today
President Trump announced today that he was lifting all sanctions against Turkey after it agreed to halt its attack on America’s former Kurdish allies in northeastern Syria.
Here’s what we know about his decision:
- What Trump didn’t mention: Turkey’s potential violations of international law. The US special envoy for Syria and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, Jim Jeffrey, told the House Foreign Affairs Committee today that the US believes Turkish-backed opposition forces in Syria have committed war crimes. “We’ve seen several incidents which we consider war crimes,” Jeffrey said.
- On ISIS fighters: Trump said his administration had done a “good job,” and claimed ISIS fighters who had escaped Kurdish jails after the Turkish attack have “been largely recaptured.” He said the Kurds’ military leader was “extremely thankful for what the United States has done” and has assured the US “that ISIS is under very, very strict lock and key.” But Jeffrey told House lawmakers that the US now estimates that more than 100 ISIS fighters had escaped and that “we do not know where they are.”
- Trump contradicted himself: Trump said today that America was “getting out” of the Middle East, yet earlier this month, he announced the US would send up to 3,000 additional troops to Saudi Arabia, which would pay for them.
- Anger on Capitol Hill: Sen. Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, pointed out that Trump’s decision undermines all three of the administration’s stated goals in Syria — preventing an ISIS resurgence, gaining US leverage in any political solution in Syria and pushing for the withdrawal of all Iranian forces.
- A deal without the US: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met yesterday to broker a deal regarding Syria’s civil war. Under the agreement, the Russian military police and Turkish military will patrol the border. The US was not included in the negotiation.
Top envoy for Syria says the US is looking into allegations of war crimes
In his House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, US envoy Jim Jeffrey said the US is looking into allegations of war crimes in Syria.
He said the US sent packages and “a high-level demarche” to Ankara, Turkey to discuss the war crimes the US has seen committed by Turkish-supported opposition (TSO).
He also elaborated on those incidents, saying they involved the killing of Kurdish politician Havrin Khalaf and “the killing of several people who are defenseless with their hands tied.”
“We’re looking into that now. We immediately reached out to Ankara and asked for the highest level explanation of this and we’re not going to give up on that. But that’s the incident that we’re all focusing on right now, there haven’t been a lot of them,” Jeffrey said.
Trump continues to call Syria "successful," ignores questions
President Trump made brief remarks on Syria prior to boarding Marine One, but he did not take any questions on the topic — or any other matter.
“It’s been very successful. We’ll see what happens,” Trump said of his dealing with Turkey on Syria, saying, “Turkey has done what we’ve asked them to do.”
“It’s a very volatile part of the world, but so far it’s been pretty amazing what’s gone on recently. Lost no soldiers, didn’t have a soldier hurt. We didn’t have a finger broken. It’s pretty unusual, and we have thousands of soldiers that have moved out or are moving out of various areas.”
Trump added that the US has the situation under “very good control.”
Remember: Jim Jeffrey, the US envoy for Syria and the coalition against ISIS, said the US believes that Turkish-supported opposition forces in Syria have committed war crimes.
Iraq's prime minister and US Defense Secretary Mark Esper met today
Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi met with US Defense Secretary Mark Asper today. The two discussed “bilateral relations, stressing continued cooperation in countering terrorism and supporting the government’s efforts to enhance security, stability and national sovereignty,” according to the Information Office of the Iraqi Prime Minister.
They also discussed “the worrying developments in Syria, especially with regard to terrorists imprisoned in Syria and the possibility of their escape and infiltration into Iraqi territory, in addition to displacement as a result of military operations there,” the office said in a statement.
Some background: Esper has previously said more than 100 ISIS fighters have escaped in Syria.
Syrian Democratic Forces commander thanks Trump for "tireless efforts"
The commander of US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) thanked President Trump today for his “tireless efforts” that stopped the Turkish military offensive in northern Syria.
The commander said Trump will continue a partnership with SDF and “long-term support at various spheres.”
Earlier today, Trump confirmed he spoke with the commander, saying, “General Mazloum has assured me that ISIS is under very very strict lock and key and the detention facilities are being strongly maintained, there were a few that got out, a small number relatively speaking and they have been largely recaptured.”
Mitt Romney: "It’s unthinkable that Turkey would not suffer consequences"
Sen. Mitt Romney, a Republican from Utah, took to Twitter to respond to President Trump’s announcement to lift all sanctions on Turkey, saying “it’s unthinkable that Turkey would not suffer consequences for malevolent behavior.”
What we know: Romney has criticized Trump’s actions related to Turkey and Syria. Last week, he delivered harsh remarks to Trump from the Senate floor following the announcement of a ceasefire in Syria, saying it was “not a victory” and questioned the timing of the negotiations made.
Here are some of the false claims Trump made in his Syria address today
During his address about Syria from the White House moments ago, President Trump repeated some of the false claims he has made before about Syria and Turkey.
- Trump said the US military deployment to Syria was supposed to last a mere “30 days.” There was never a specific timetable attached.
- He also said the deployment happened “almost 10 years ago.” The US began airstrikes in 2014 and deployed ground troops in late 2015. (At least a small number of intelligence officers were on the ground in 2012, but “almost 10 years” is a stretch even if he was referring to these Americans.)
- Trump said others had tried to make a deal like his for “many, many decades.” This is nonsensical, as we explained here. Trump made a narrow deal to stop the Turkish offensive that followed his own decision to withdraw US troops. It is not some sort of broad accord that resolves longstanding regional issues.
Trump's top adviser on Syria says the US doesn't know where the ISIS fighters are
President Trump, speaking at the White House today, said that the ISIS fighters who have escaped in Syria have “been largely recaptured,” directly contradicting Jim Jeffrey, his US special envoy for Syria and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
About an hour ago, Jeffrey addressed the issue of the escapees, saying, “We do not know where they are.”
Trump also said there were “a small number, relatively speaking” who escaped — both Jeffrey and Defense Secretary Mark Esper have said the number is more than 100.
Pence warned last week Turkey's sanctions would be lifted
Vice President Mike Pence previewed President Trump’s announcement to lift all sanctions on Turkey last week when the temporary ceasefire was declared.
Last Thursday, Pence said once a permanent ceasefire was achieved, the President would withdraw the sanctions that were placed on Turkey.
A senior US official told CNN last week that the US’ deal with Turkey was essentially validating the Turkish offensive.
Syrian Kurds say they're conflicted about Turkey-Russia agreement
For Syria’s Kurds, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad “is the best of worst choices,” English teacher Hassan Hassan from northwestern Syria told CNN as he tries to make sense of the Turkey-Russia agreement.
Speaking with CNN on the phone, Hassan said “the devil is in the detail,” but says Kurds now hope Turkey will not invade predominantly Kurdish cities like Qamishli.
If Turkish-backed rebels with former ISIS fighters in their ranks roll in, people would flee their homes and become displaced, he said.
But Assad is an ally of the Kurdish YPG, “because he is the enemy of our enemies,” Hassan said.
Jawan Mirso, a media activist in al-Derbasiya, similarly told CNN that the population seems split in half in their feelings about the agreement. He said especially older people recently displaced by the Turkish military operation who now believe they can return to their homes and villages are relieved.
Younger people are more cautious, he said — especially those 18 and older who fear the Syrian regime will force them into military service.
Some history: The Kurds are an Iranian ethnic minority with a population in Syria, whom the US has historically supported in the fight against ISIS. Bashar al-Assad has ruled Syria as president since July 2000 — but has been criticized for widespread violence against civilians and the use of chemical weapons against rebels in the ongoing Syrian civil war.
Trump praises Turkey's president: "In his mind, he's doing the right thing for his country"
President Trump praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as “a man who loves his country” and thanked him for working on the Syria deal.
Trump added that he may meet the Turkish leader “in the very near future.”
Earlier today, Jim Jeffrey, the US envoy for Syria and the coalition against ISIS, said the US believes that Turkish-supported opposition forces in Syria have committed war crimes.
Trump: "Let someone else fight over this long-bloodstained sand"
President Trump said the US is “getting out” of the Syrian region after almost 10 years.
“We were supposed to be there for 30 days. That was almost 10 years ago. So we’re there for 30 days, and now we’re leaving. It’s supposed to be a very quick hit, and let’s get out and it was a quick hit except they stayed for almost 10 years,” he added.
Trump said “thousands and thousands” have been killed in the area.
Remember: Jim Jeffrey, the US envoy for Syria and the coalition against ISIS, said the US believes that Turkish-supported opposition forces in Syria have committed war crimes.
Trump says "small number" of US troops will stay in Syria
President Trump said a “small number” of American troops will stay in Syria to protect oil in the region.
Trump orders all sanctions on Turkey lifted
President Trump just announced that sanctions on Turkey have been lifted.
“I have, therefore, instructed the Secretary of the Treasury to lift all sanctions imposed October 14th in response to Turkey’s original offensive moves against the Kurds,” Trump said moments ago.
He acknowledged that “permanent” was “somewhat questionable” in the region, but nevertheless projected confidence in his decision.
Turkey announced earlier it was ending its incursion into Syria after striking a deal with Russia.
Top US envoy for Syria: Turkish supported forces have committed "several" war crimes in Syria
Jim Jeffrey, the US envoy for Syria and the coalition against ISIS, says the US believes that Turkish-supported opposition (TSO) forces in Syria have committed war crimes.
The US envoy told the committee that “we haven’t seen any widespread ethnic cleansing in that area since the Turks have come in.” He added, “many people fled because they’re very concerned about these Turkish supported Syrian opposition forces, as are we.”
Jeffrey told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday that “Turkish-supported Syrian opposition forces who are under general Turkish command in at least one instance did carry out a war crime and we have reached out to Turkey to demand an explanation.”
Earlier today in the hearing, Jeffrey described the TSO as “very very dangerous and, in some cases, extremist.”
Some background: The recent withdrawal of US troops from Syria signaled what many called a betrayal of their Kurdish allies.
The US was not included in the Syria deal reached by Russia and Turkey yesterday. The deal made it clear that Turkey and Russia are not interested in including the US in plans regarding Syria’s future.
Jeffrey said yesterday that he specifically was not consulted or advised in advance on President Trump’s decision to pull US troops from northeastern Syria.
Trump will speak about Syria soon
President Trump said he’ll make a statement about Syria at 11 a.m. ET today.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday met in the southern Russian resort city of Sochi and unveiled a 10-point memorandum about Syria.
Remember: The US was not included in the negotiation. The deal made it clear that Turkey and Russia are not interested in including the US in plans regarding Syria’s future.
Furthermore, after the recent withdrawal of US troops from the area signaled what many called a betrayal of their Kurdish allies, it appears Russia will be the Kurds’ new powerful protector in the area.
Iraq says they didn't give permission for US troops to withdraw from Syria
Iraq did not give permission for US forces withdrawing from Syria to stay in Iraq, according to a statement released today from Iraq’s Prime Minister Adil Abd al-Mahdi.
“The government has stated that it has not given permission to US forces that have withdrawn from Syria to remain in Iraqi territories, as some media had reported,” the statement read.
“We are taking all international legal action and ask the international community and the UN to play their role in this regard,” according to the PM statement.
“Additionally, any presence of foreign forces has to be under the approval of the Iraqi government and this presence ends if the Iraqi government requests so.”
US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper met with Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abd al-Mahdi in Baghdad on Wednesday.
UK was not told of US troop pullback from Syria in advance
The UK was not told about the US troop pullback from Syria in advance, UK Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace said today.
Wallace was asked at a Defense Committee session: “Did the US consult us before this decision to withdraw from the area of Syria near the Turkish border?”
“On the specific decision, no, they didn’t in advance,” Wallace replied.
Here's where the border patrol posts will go on the Turkey-Syria border, according to Russia
The Syrian government will set up 15 border patrol posts along its border with Turkey, according to a map posted by the Russian Defense Ministry on today.
The posts — marked green on the map above — are created within the framework of the memorandum of understanding signed yesterday by the presidents of Russia and Turkey following talks in Sochi.
The map shows that Syrian border posts will be created outside of the zone of the Turkish Operation Peace Spring. Five posts are to be set up west of the zone of the offensive near the town of Kobani. Another ten posts will be located west of the operation zone up to the border with Iraq, including the area surrounding the city of Qamishli.
The map also outlines a 10-kilometer zone of joint Russian-Turkish patrols along the border and a 30-kilometer zone of withdrawal for Syrian Kurdish formations.
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