Turkey threatens to end cooperation with the US in a safe area

ARK News: Turkey has signaled to the establishment of permanent military bases in the safe area to be established in northern Syria under US-Turkish coordination, amid a dispute between Washington and Ankara over the nature of the work of their forces in these areas.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has threatened to end cooperation with the United States over Syria's safe area if Washington uses what he calls "stalling and delays" over its establishment, Turkish daily Ahwal reported on Thursday.

"We will build bases for patrols east of the Euphrates. They will be common bases with the United States and we want them to be permanent," Akar said.

He added that Ankara would continue talks with Washington on the safe area "as long as it is consistent with our goals and objectives."

The Turkish Defense Minister threatened that Ankara will build military bases on its own in the safe area in the event of "procrastination" Washington on the establishment of this region, noting that the number of those bases "will be determined from the situation on the ground."

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