Syria: Turkey, Russia agree to establish “safe zone” in northern Syria October 22 /update 14

Turkey and Russia reach agreement on October 22 to establish “safe zone” in northern Syria
Read all related news alert(s):
Syria: Car bomb blast leaves 17 dead in Tel Halaf November 26 /update 21
Syria: At least three people killed in Tal Abyad missile attack November 19 /update 20
Syria: Car bombing reported in Al-Bab November 16 /update 19
Syria: Turkish forces open fire on protesters in Kobane November 12 /update 18
Syria: Bomb attack leaves at least eight dead in northeast Syria November 10 /update 17
Syria: At least 13 killed in Tal Abyad bomb blast November 2 /update 16
Syria: Car bombing reported in Tal Abyad October 24 /update 15
Syria: Kurds tentatively agree to ceasefire October 17 /update 13
Syria: Turkey agrees to temporary ceasefire in northeastern Syria October 17 /update 12
Syria: Syrian and Russian forces enter Ain al-Arab October 16 /update 11
Syria: Russian forces approach Ain al-Arab October 16 /update 10
Syria: Syrian troops approach border with Turkey October 14 /update 9
Syria: Islamic State (IS) supporters escape holding camp in Tell Abiad October 13 /update 8
Syria: Turkey claims capture of border town of Ras al-Ain October 12 /update 7
Syria: Islamic State (IS) claims VBIED attack in Al-Hasakah province October 11 /update 6
Syria: VBIED attack reported in Al-Hasakah province October 11 /update 5
Syria: Ground fighting reported in northeastern Syria October 11 /update 4
Syria: 15 killed in Turkey’s northeastern Syria operation as of October 10 /update 3
Syria: Turkey launches military operation, airstrikes in northeastern Syria October 9 /update 2
Syria: Airstrikes reported in Al-Hasakah province October 7 /update 1
Event
On Tuesday, October 22, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russian President Vladimir Putin reached an agreement to establish a "safe zone" in northern Syria. Between Wednesday, October 23, and Monday, October 28, Russian military police and Syrian border guards will move in to facilitate the removal of Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) forces and weapons to beyond the zone, which extends 29 km (18 mi) beyond the Turkish-Syrian border. After the initial phase of the operation, Turkish and Russian troops will conduct joint patrols in northern Syria within 10 km (6 mi) of the border, beginning on Tuesday, October 29. The agreement comes hours ahead of the expiration of a five-day ceasefire between Turkish and Kurdish-led forces in the region.
A heightened security presence is to be expected in northeastern Syria over the near term. Further unrest, including violent clashes between opposing security forces, are possible in the region over the coming days and weeks.
Context
President Erdoğan announced on October 5 that Turkey would launch a military operation in northeastern Syria in an attempt to expel Kurdish (YPG) forces from the Syrian-Turkish border. Erdoğan stated that the air and ground operations would extend 30 km (19 mi) into Syria from Syria's northeastern border with Turkey. Turkey considers the YPG to be a terrorist organization linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) group in Turkey.
On October 14, an agreement was reached between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian government for Syrian government forces to deploy along the border with Turkey amid an ongoing Turkish offensive in northeastern Syria.
Following diplomatic talks between US Vice President Mike Pence and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on October 17, Turkey agreed to suspend military operations in northeastern Syria. The temporary ceasefire would last five days, allowing Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) forces to withdraw from the 32 km (20 mi)-wide "safe zone" along Syria's northeastern border with Turkey.
Advice
Due to extremely poor security conditions, Western governments generally advise against all travel to Syria, with some banning travel to the country. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to any travel to Syria.
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