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ISIS: Erdogan says Turkey will take over fight after US withdraws troops

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Hard stance Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has informed all those that care to listen that his country is ready to take over the fight against ISIS militants in Syria following the withdrawal of US troops.

Erdogan made the announcement while delivering a speech in Istanbul, saying Turkey would mobilise to fight remaining Islamic State forces in Syria and temporarily delay plans to attack Kurdish fighters in the northeast of Syria.

“We will be working on our operational plans to eliminate ISIS (Islamic State) elements, which are said to remain intact in Syria, in line with our conversation with President Trump,” Erdogan said.

He also revealed that Turkey will suspend an operation east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria to oust the YPG from the area citing talks with US President Donald Trump as a reason to wait.

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“Our phone call with President Trump, along with contacts between our diplomats and security officials and statements by the United States, have led us to wait a little longer,” he said.

“We have postponed our military operation against the east of the Euphrates river until we see on the ground the result of America’s decision to withdraw from Syria.”

Critics say the announcement by Trump to withdraw roughly 2,000 from Syria will make it harder to find a diplomatic solution to Syria’s seven-year-old conflict.

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