U.S. and Turkey Agree to Fudge on the Buffer Zone in Northeast Syria

Turkey and the United States decided to settle there differences over a proposed buffer zone in northeast Syria by agreeing to a hollow statement reaffirming the idea. According to Carlotta Gall,

Defense officials from both countries issued separate but similar statements after three days of talks in Ankara, the Turkish capital. The statements gave no details on the size of the zone or how it will be policed, which may still be undecided, but the agreement was presented by Turkey as a meeting of its demands.

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Discussions have been focused on the S.D.F. pulling its forces and weaponry away from the border area and on the size of the safe zone. The United States has preferred a zone that is just a few miles wide, whereas Turkey has sought a corridor along its border as deep as 20 miles.

The agreement announced on Wednesday appeared to be aimed only at ensuring that Turkish and American forces, who are NATO allies, do not come into conflict.

Syria blasted the agreement.