Turkish, US officials agree on Syria safe-zone

Turkish and US military officials have agreed that the safe-zone in northern Syria will be a "peace corridor" for displaced Syrians longing to return home, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said Wednesday.  

The officials finalized key points of the safe-zone at a meeting in Ankara, the ministry said in a statement.

The 30- to 40-kilometers (18- to 25-miles) wide safe-zone will be controlled by Turkey in coordination with the US.

The PKK/YPG inside the safe-zone will be cleared and forced to surrender heavy weapons in their possession, the ministry added.

Also, all tunnels, positions and fortifications built by the PKK/YPG inside the safe-zone will be destroyed.

"During the talks, the immediate implementation of measures to address Turkey's security concern was discussed in detail," the ministry said.

"In that respect, as the first step in the establishment of a safe-zone, it was planned that a Joint Operations Center in Turkey will be established soon for coordination and control with the US," the ministry added.