The United States is delaying the implementation of a key bilateral deal that foresees the withdrawal of the YPG from the Syrian city of Manbij, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said, stressing that he will not seek an appointment with U.S. President Donald Trump during U.N. meetings late September due to ongoing disputes, Hurriyet Daily News reported.
“The job is being delayed. We have to see this fact. We are not at an ideal point. The agreement that we had reached is not being implemented in the right direction,” Erdoğantold journalists on his return from Bishkek to Ankara late Sept 3.
The agreement Erdoğan referred to was brokered between Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on June 4, which sought the withdrawal of the YPG, the Syrian offshoot of the illegal PKK, from Manbij and the joint control of the city by Turkish and American troops.
According to Turkish officials, the process had to be completed on Sept. 4 but Turkish and American troops could not yet begin joint patrolling missions due to the delayed training of the two sides’ militaries in the region.
Erdoğan expressed hope that a new process would begin in the implementation of the deal as a result of future talks by Çavuşoğlu and Defense Minister Hulusi Akar with their U.S. counterparts.
“I hope a new process will be launched and desired steps with regards to Manbij and Tel Rifaat will be taken,” he said.
