The military leader of the Syrian Kurds, Gen. Mazloum Abdi, thanked President Trump on Wednesday, Oct. 23, for his tireless effort that stopped the brutal Turkish attack.
In the statement that was announced via Twitter by Mustafa Bali, a spokesman for the SDF, Mazloum said:
GEN.Mazloum:
1- I just spoke with President Trump and explained to him the Turkish violations of the truce that would not have been possible without his great efforts— Mustafa Bali (@mustefabali) October 23, 2019
GEN.Mazloum:
2. We THANK President Trump for his tireless efforts that stopped the brutal Turkish attack and jihadist groups on our people.— Mustafa Bali (@mustefabali) October 23, 2019
GEN.Mazloum:
3. President Trump promised to maintain partnership with SDF and long-term support at various spheres.
— Mustafa Bali (@mustefabali) October 23, 2019
President Trump tweeted back:
Thank you General Mazloum for your kind words and courage. Please extend my warmest regards to the Kurdish people. I look forward to seeing you soon. @mustefabali
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 23, 2019
Mazloum’s statement was released soon after the president announced that the United States was lifting economic sanctions on Turkey for its commitment to a “permanent” cease-fire.
“It will indeed be permanent. However you would also define the word ‘permanent’ in that part of the world as somewhat questionable, we all understand that. But I do believe it will be permanent,” Trump said at a press conference on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
However, the president added that the sanctions would not be lifted if Turkey “does something we’re not happy with.”
Russia and Turkey had agreed the day before to joint patrols within about 6 miles of the Syria-Turkey border, and the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) agreed to withdraw approximately 20 miles south of the border, according to BreibartI.
“We are achieving a much more peaceful and stable area between Turkey and Syria, including a 20-mile wide safe zone,” President Trump said.
“Turkey, Syria, and all forms of the Kurds have been fighting for centuries. We have done them a great service and we have done a great job for all of them. And now we’re getting out. … Let someone else fight over this long bloodstained sand,” he added.
The president said he had spoken with Mazloum, who thanked him and assured him that members of ISIS would remain in prison.
