US, Turkey reach ceasefire deal in Syria
October 17, 2019  23:42
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United States Vice President Mike Pence announced on Thursday that the US and Turkey reached a deal to suspend the Turkish military offensive in Syria.

"A week after Turkish forces crossed into Syria, Turkey and the United States of America have agreed to a cease fire in Syria," Pence was quoted as saying by CNN.

Pence explained that military operations will stop for 120 hours.

Pence said he spoke with President Donald Trump and he 'knows President Trump is very grateful' to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for facilitating the ceasefire.

Pence said the agreement would "pause" the Turkish advance into Syria to allow the withdrawal of [Kurdish] YPG forces.

Pence said that the US will not impose further sanctions on Turkey as part of the agreement.

Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Erdogan today address the situation in Syria.

The high-level US delegation included Pence, Pompeo and National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien.

It marked the first major meeting between the two countries since President Trump pulled US armed forces out of northern Syria.

IMAGE: US Vice President Mike Pence speaks during a news conference, as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo looks on, at the US Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, on Thursday. Photograph: Huseyin Aldemir/Reuters
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