Erdogan: Our priority is to clear the SDF from the Syrian border to a depth of 30 kilometres

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in a phone call that “Our priority is to clear the Syrian Democratic Forces from the Syrian border with Turkey to a depth of at least 30 kilometers.

Erdogan added that “The Syrian Democratic Forces continue their separatist activities in northern Syria and their terrorist attacks, which target Turkey.”

Erdogan stressed that “Russia should adhere to implementing the provisions of the memorandum of understanding, stipulating the withdrawal of the Syrian Democratic Forces to 30 km away from the Syrian-Turkish border.”

It is noteworthy that, on October 22, 2019, Turkey and Russia reached a cease-fire agreement that followed “Operation Peace Spring”, during which the Syrian National Army backed by Turkey was able to control the cities of Ras al-Ain and Tell Abiad, after they had previously controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces.