Donald Trump may want to slacken the pace of his victory lap.
This is a great day for civilization. I am proud of the United States for sticking by me in following a necessary, but somewhat unconventional, path. People have been trying to make this “Deal” for many years. Millions of lives will be saved. Congratulations to ALL!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2019
Pres Trump thanks Pres Erdogan and the Kurds. Says they're "incredibly happy with this solution," he says of the ceasefire agreement. Says he had to pursue an "unconventional rough love approach." Says everyone agreed to a plan they would not have 3 days ago. pic.twitter.com/WdPuTOlZHZ
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) October 17, 2019
Speaking to reporters on the tarmac at NAS Ft Worth, @POTUS said the ceasefire "had to be an unconventional solution.” He says when the Kurds saw how nast and rough it would get, they said "let's make a deal. And he thinks Erdogan was very smart as well. pic.twitter.com/7VsIEkF2DY
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) October 17, 2019
Of the ceasefire deal, Pres Trump said the Kurds are very happy, Turkey is very happy, the US is very happy and Civilization is very happy. He the safe zone will be monitored as will ISIS fighters most of whom are still in custody.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) October 17, 2019
It seems not everyone on board with this whole “ceasefire” thing:
Turkish Foreign Minister contradicts Vice President Pence — says not a ceasefire https://t.co/yKB50IcqYO
— Tim Mak (@timkmak) October 17, 2019
"Pause in Turkey's operation in Syria is not a cease-fire, cease-fire can only happen between two legitimate sides" – Turkey's Cavusoglu pic.twitter.com/VRAre2I0Aj
— TRT World (@trtworld) October 17, 2019
Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu: "This is not a ceasefire. We will pause the operation for 120 hours in order for the terrorists to leave. We will only stop the operation if our conditions are met." https://t.co/7vvy4yijyZ
— Axios (@axios) October 17, 2019
But we thought Turkey said they “got exactly what [they] wanted out of the meeting.”
BREAKING: SDF spokesman rejects terms of cease fire agreed between Turkey & US https://t.co/RImqoIybUv
— Conflict News (@Conflicts) October 17, 2019
N/E Syria Official Aldar Khalil:
We've previously stated that the proposal of Turkey's entering a depth of 30 km inside Syrian territories, is rejected.— NORTH PRESS AGENCY (@NPA_SY) October 17, 2019
Well alrighty then.
Really doesn't sound like any of the combatants are accepting this ceasefire.
— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) October 17, 2019
This is going well. https://t.co/CmlL2AX2mD
— Pradheep J. Shanker (@Neoavatara) October 17, 2019
This is going real, real well. https://t.co/r0dgqHoeZq
— Pradheep J. Shanker (@Neoavatara) October 17, 2019
About as well as could be expected.
No, I"m sorry they are mistaken.
President Trump says they are very happy. I'm afraid that will have to be the final word on that. https://t.co/P9VQ5FAXfA
— Drew McCoy (@_Drew_McCoy_) October 17, 2019
***
Update:
As far as the SDF is concerned, some initial reporting may have been premature:
BREAKING: SDF Commander-in-Chief Mazlum Abdi says "we will also accept a ceasefire" – @vvanwilgenburg
— Conflict News (@Conflicts) October 17, 2019
So, is that it, then? And will Turkey really abide by the “ceasefire” or are they just waiting for a golden opportunity to wipe out some more Kurds?