A Turkish offensive against the Syrian Kurds, which followed the announcement of the US withdrawal from the area, was put on hold in the region close to the border crossing until 23 October under a deal brokered by Ankara and Washington.
American forces have gone to western Iraq from Syria as part of their withdrawal from the north of the Arab Republic, Reuters reported. According to the news agency, over 100 US military vehicles have already gone through the Sahela border crossing into the Iraqi province of Dohuk.
US Defence Secretary Mark Esper had previously stated that around 1,000 American troops leaving northern Syria, would be redeployed to Iraq to “help defend” it and to fight a possible Daesh* resurgence there. Prior to the withdrawal, the US struck a deal with Turkey to suspend the latter's military operation against local Kurds in the area near the border crossing.
Washington announced its plans to pull out its forces from northern Syria days prior to Ankara launching its “Peace Spring” military operation against formerly US-backed Kurdish militia controlling this area. The US move was heavily criticised domestically with politicians accusing President Donald Trump of “betraying Kurdish allies”, who helped Washington to fight Daesh*. Trump defended his decision by arguing that the US must stop participating in “endless wars”.
After the US withdrawal, the Kurdish militia negotiated an agreement with Damascus and Moscow for Syrian government forces to secure the…
