Discussions of coordination on the second phase of the security mechanism in Tal Abyad
Tal Abyad – North-Press Agency
Roj Moussa
A meeting was held between Tal-Abyad Military Council with the representatives of the Global Coalition to coordinate the second phase of the mechanisms of the proposed safe zone, to fill SDF trenches, and to explain the importance of coordination between the U.S., Tal Abyad Military Council and Turkey.
The meeting was attended by brigadier-general Turner, the deputy commander of the special operations of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF—OIR) against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, the leadership of the Autonomous Administration in Tal Abyad and Tal Abyad Military Council.
The United States, Turkey and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) had earlier agreed that YPG should evacuate its forces and weaponry from the areas of the proposed safe zone, according to statements by Amb. James Jeffrey, the US special envoy for Syria, last month.
The first group of YPG and SDF forces had formally withdrawn with their heavy weapons from the border points with Turkey in the west of Ras al-Ain on August 24, in order to be replaced by Ras al-Ain Military Council in an implementation of the agreed security mechanism.
While filling previously dug trenches had begun on the same day by the Global Coalition forces and SDF west of Ras al-Ain.
On September 8, the U.S. and Turkish forces conducted their first on-ground joint patrol in coordination with Tal Abyad military council, which it had replaced the points of YPG, after its withdrawal with its heavy weapons.