Erdogan asks Trump to speed up the implementation of the "safe zone" in northeastern Syria

The Turkish President Erdogan has asked the United States President Donald Trump, in a phone call to “speed up the implementation of the safe zone” between Turkey and Syrian Democratic Forces held areas in north and eastern Syria.

Turkish media quoted Erdogan as asking US President Trump to “accelerate the process of the implementation of the safe area,” which he considered the agreement with Washington on this regard as “the right step”.

The phone call followed a visit by the Turkish president to the Russian capital, Moscow, during which he met the Russian President, Vladimir Putin to discuss the recent developments in Syria.

Furthermore, Erdogan has discussed with Trump the latest developments in Idlib, especially after the military advance of the Syrian government forces in the northern countryside of Hama and the city of Khan Shaykhun, south of Idlib, and the besieging the Turkish observation point in northern Hama countryside.

Vladimir Putin has said on Tuesday that the establishment of a safe zone on the Syrian-Turkish borders “will increase the territorial unity of Syria”.

Moreover, Putin’s remarks coincided with SDF’s implementation of the early stages of the “security mechanism” to be applied along the Syrian-Turkish borders, between the cities of Sere-Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) and Gire Sipi / Tal Abyad, in northern Syria.

While People’s Protection Units (YPG) members have withdrawn their points along the borders with Turkey, coinciding with the start of US patrols running in the border areas.

On the other hand, Idlib governorate in northwestern Syria is witnessing ongoing military escalation, in terms of continuous clashes between the Syrian government forces and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other armed opposition groups.

The Syrian government forces managed to re-control a number of strategic villages and towns in northern Hama governorate and southern Idlib, the latest of which was the city of Khan Shaykhun.