24 October
Russia has started deploying its military police in northern Syria to remove Kurdish forces from border areas in the region under a deal with Turkey.
Local reports say the military police arrived in the Syrian border city of Ayn al-Arab on Wednesday.
The move comes one day after Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to allow Turkey to keep control over an 120-kilometer area between the border towns of Ras al Ain and Tel Abyad after Kurdish forces left the area.
They also agreed that Russia and Syrian personnel will help remove Kurdish forces from border areas outside of Turkey's field of operation.
Meanwhile, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces issued a statement that its commander, General Mazloum Abdi, talked via phone with US President Donald Trump. It says Trump pledged to provide support for them.
Kurdish forces had initially criticized the United States for pulling its troops out of northern Syria, clearing the way for Turkey's offensive against them.
But they are apparently trying to stress ties with the US again following the agreement between Turkey and Russia to cooperate with each other.
Trump said on Wednesday that Turkey informed the US it is completely halting military operations against Kurdish forces in northern Syria.
NHK
