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Trump sends officials to Turkey as US troops 'largely out' of Syria

The US president is trying to contain the fallout from pulling his troops out of the region - as he imposes sanctions on Ankara.

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Turkey, Syria and Russia can play for 'a lot of sand'
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Donald Trump has sent his top officials to Turkey to try to persuade Ankara to halt its assault on northern Syria - as he announced US troops are "largely out" of the region.

Robert O'Brien, the White House's national security adviser since last month, arrived in Turkey to meet foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Wednesday.

Vice President Mike Pence and secretary of state Mike Pompeo are expected to meet Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday as they try to contain the fallout from the president announcing US troops were being pulled out last week.

Smoke rises over the Syrian town of Ras al-Ain as seen from the Turkish border town of Ceylanpinar, Sanliurfa province
Image: Smoke rises over the Syrian town of Ras al-Ain as seen from the Turkish border town of Ceylanpinar, Sanliurfa province

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Turkey's vice president: 'We'll clear up terrorists'

The announcement led to Turkey almost immediately sending soldiers into northern Syria to fight the Kurds, allies of the US in the battle against Islamic State militants.

The Turkish see the Kurdish fighters as being linked to PKK "terrorists" in the country.

More than 160,000 Kurds have been displaced from the region by the Turkish incursion, while IS fighters have escaped from prisons and their families have fled camps.

Turkish-backed Syrian rebels ride through the Turkish border town of Akcakale
Image: Turkish-backed Syrian rebels ride through the Turkish border town of Akcakale
Buses carried Syrian families fleeing violence during the Turkish offensive to displacement camps in Iraq
Image: Buses carried Syrian families fleeing violence during the Turkish offensive to displacement camps in Iraq

Mr Erdogan has continually insisted there would be no ceasefire.

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He has also threatened to call off a visit to the US next month because of the "very big disrespect" shown by US politicians from both sides of the political spectrum.

US fails to extract most dangerous Islamic State prisoners in Syria
US fails to extract most dangerous Islamic State prisoners in Syria

Having suddenly lost US support, the Syrian Kurdish fighters have turned to Syrian President Bashar Assad to help them fend off Turkey's invasion.

On Wednesday, Mr Trump said he would help negotiate the situation, yet added that it was "fine" for Russia to help Damascus in a conflict he said was between Turkey and Syria.

Russia, a US adversary which backs President Assad and his troops, sent their own forces to the territory on Tuesday.

Mike Pence is being sent to Turkey to try to negotiate a ceasefire
Image: Mike Pence is being sent to Turkey to try to negotiate a ceasefire

The following day, Russian state television reported Syrian government forces had occupied bases abandoned by US troops days before.

Russian president Vladimir Putin invited Mr Erdogan to visit Moscow to discuss the situation, as he offered to mediate a resolution - further asserting Moscow's role as a regional force.

Mr Macron has urged Mr Erdogan to stop the offensive in northern Syria
Image: Recep Tayyip Erdogan has continually insisted there would be no ceasefire

During a meeting with Italy's president on Wednesday, Mr Trump revealed US troops are "largely out" of northern Syria.

He added: "If Syria wants to fight to take back their land, that's up to them and Turkey.

"There's a lot of sand that they can play with."

Republicans were planning to introduce legislation on Wednesday to impose sanctions on Ankara, but Turkey's foreign minister said they will not be affected by "sanctions and threats".

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In a speech to parliament on Wednesday, Mr Cavusoglu also said Turkey would retaliate against sanctions.

"No sanctions or threats are acceptable and will not affect our resolve," he said.

"We will give the appropriate answer to these sanctions. We will take the necessary steps."