Syria’s Turkmen, Arab tribes welcome US withdrawal plan

By Rauf Maltas</p> <p>SANLIURFA, Turkey (AA) – The Syrian people welcome U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria, Omer Dede, vice-president of the Syrian Turkmen and Arab Tribal Association, said Friday.</p> <p>&quot;The U.S. finally found the right way. For the first time, it has made a good decision for Syria. As Syrians, we welcome this decision,&quot; Dede told Anadolu Agency.</p> <p>Saying the world had long remained silent to developments in Syria, Dede asserted that the global community — particularly the U.S. and Russia — had started focusing on the country after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's announcement of a planned military campaign east of the Euphrates River.</p> <p>Dede said that Turkey had adopted a resolute policy on Syria, manifested in its “Euphrates Shield” and “Olive Branch” operations, going on to note that the planned operation east of the Euphrates had “seriously intimidated” the PYD/PKK terrorist group.</p> <p>Pointing out that the Syrian Turkmen and Arab Tribal Association welcomed the U.S. decision, he added: “We are the true owners of the region east of the Euphrates. The PYD/PKK occupied our land there. God willing, the terrorists will flee once the U.S. withdraws and we return to our homeland.”</p> <p>Dede urged the international community to closely follow Trump’s promised troop withdrawal.</p> <p>&quot;We expect Washington to follow through with its decision, which the international community must pressure the U.S. to implement,” he said.</p> <p>“Once the U.S. withdraws, the PYD/PKK won't find any quarter… and will be forced to flee, after which we will finally be able to return to our homes,&quot; he added.</p> <p>Trump made the withdrawal announcement on the eve of an anticipated Turkish military operation in northeastern Syria against the YPG/PYD/PKK terrorist group. </p> <p>Since 2016, Ankara has conducted two major military operations in the region with the stated aim of destroying the terrorist presence there.</p> <p><br></p> <p>*Ali Murat Alhas contributed to this report from Ankara