The US is lifting sanctions on Turkey over its recent offensive against Kurdish fighters in northeastern Syria, President Donald Trump says.
It comes after Russia and Turkey agreed to extend a ceasefire along the Syrian border, with Russian troops deployed.
Turkey’s offensive began after President Trump’s unexpected decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria earlier this month.
“Let someone else fight over this long bloodstained sand,” the president said.
“The sanctions will be lifted unless something happens that we’re not happy with,” he announced in a statement at the White House on Wednesday.
He said Turkey had assured him that it would cease fighting in the region and would make the recently agreed ceasefire permanent.
The US sanctions were imposed last week in response to Turkey’s recent offensive against Kurdish fighters, whom it regards as terrorists. Turkey wants to create a 30km (20-mile) deep “safe zone” along the Syrian side of the border. (BBC)
