U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen, Lindsey Graham, Richard Blumenthal, Marsha Blackburn, and Jeanne Shaheed wrote to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about reports of ongoing attacks against the PKK/YPG members by Turkey and its proxies outside of the designated safe zone.
Noting that they write regarding reports that Turkey and Turkish-backed forces are operating outside the agreed-upon "safe zone" in northeast Syria, the senators said:
"Given the stakes, time is of the essence. We ask that you immediately let us know if Turkey and/or its proxy forces are operating outside of the area that runs east-west between the towns of Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ain and south about 30 kilometers to the M4-M10 road. If so, does the Administration plan to impose sanctions on Turkey for violating the October 17 agreement?
Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring on Oct. 9 to clear northeastern Syria east of the Euphrates River of PKK/YPG members and create a safe zone along the border, thereby paving the way for the voluntary return of Syrian refugees.
Ankara and Washington reached a deal on Oct. 17 to halt the operation for 120 hours to allow the withdrawal of YPG/PKK members from the planned safe zone.
ILKHA