‘Turkey to control proposed safe zone in N. Syria’

By Faruk Zorlu, Sena Guler and Sibel Ugurlu</p> <p>ANKARA (AA) – A proposed safe zone in northern Syria along Turkish border will be under Ankara's control, the country’s presidential aide said on Tuesday.</p> <p>Speaking to the reporters following a Cabinet meeting in Ankara, Ibrahim Kalin said, &quot;Fight against terrorism and terror groups targeting Turkey will continue in every area.&quot;</p> <p>Kalin highlighted that Turkey's aim in Syria's Idlib was to ensure the safety of people's lives and property.</p> <p>About a Russian-Turkish contract for the purchase of S-400 air defense systems, Kalin said it &quot;has nothing to do with deal for U.S. Patriot missiles.&quot;</p> <p>Presidential aide said the U.S. delegation last week gave Turkey a five-item and legally non-binding paper about its forces' pullout from Syria .</p> <p>Last week, a U.S. delegation — including National Security Adviser John Bolton, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford and Special Envoy for Syria James Jeffrey — took part in talks at the presidential complex in the Turkish capital of Ankara.</p> <p>In a surprising move, U.S. President Donald Trump last month announced the withdrawal of American forces from Syria. </p> <p>Trump made the decision during a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in which the two leaders agreed on the need for more effective coordination over the civil war-torn country. </p> <p>Turkey has repeatedly objected to U.S. support for the terrorist PKK/PYD as a &quot;reliable ally&quot; in Syria, which has included supplying arms and equipment.</p> <p>In its 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the terrorist PKK has taken some 40,000 lives, including women and children. The YPG/PKK is the PKK's Syrian branch.</p> <p>Kalin briefed that Erdogan will pay a one-day visit to Moscow on Jan. 23, which is expected to touch on &quot;bilateral issues and Syria crisis.&quot;