It is our fundamental right based on international law to take measures as required by our national security against any terrorist threat emanating from Syria.

We have exerted maximum effort so far to implement the aforementioned measures jointly with our Allies in particular the US.

We have, in a constructive way and good faith, spared no effort to establish a safe zone in north of Syria with a view to addressing our legitimate security concerns and paving the way for the safe and voluntary return of hundreds of thousands of displaced Syrians to their homes.

We are at a point where the commitments of the US military authorities have not been fulfilled. During the course of the talks, the US security bureaucracy has intensified its engagement with the PYD/YPG terrorist organization which keeps the east of Euphrates under occupation, and acted in a way which is incompatible with its existing Allied relationship with Turkey, let alone putting an end to this engagement.

As a responsible member of the international community, Turkey is determined to fight all kinds of terrorism. We cannot sit idly and watch the PYD/YPG terrorist organization, which is the soulmate of DEASH and the mirror-image of crimes against humanity committed against the Syrian people as well as our country and people, grow stronger and create fait-accomplis on the Syrian side of our border.

Turkey remains firm to establish the safe zone in order to counter threats to its existence and to protect its security by clearing the east of Euphrates from terrorists, as well as to foster peace, security and stability in Syria. A serious threat against the territorial integrity and unity of Syria will thus be eliminated and a strong basis will be built to prevent the resurgence of DEASH or similar entities in the future.

President Erdoğan reiterated all the above to President Trump once again during their phone conversation on 6 October.