Turkish, US army chiefs discuss Syria over phone

ANKARA

Turkish army chief and his US counterpart spoke over the phone on Friday and discussed security situation and recent developments in Syria.

Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Guler discussed the security situation and recent developments in Syria with his US counterpart Mark Milley, said a Turkish General Staff statement.

Turkey and the U.S. came to an agreement on Thursday to pause Turkey's anti-terror operation in northern Syria.

Turkey agreed to pause its Operation Peace Spring for 120 hours to allow the withdrawal of terrorist YPG/PKK forces from the planned safe zone.

Erdogan and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence also agreed on Turkey having 20 miles (32 miles) of safe zone south of the Turkish border in Syria.

On Oct. 9, Turkey had launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

Ankara wants to clear northern Syria east of the Euphrates River of the terrorist PKK and its Syrian offshoot, the YPG/PKK.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

*Writing by Havva Kara Aydin.