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November 14, 2019

Trump Hosts President Erdogan at White House Amid Turkish Attacks in Syria
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President Erdogan's visit came amid international condemnation of the
recent Turkish offensive into northern Syria, which Turkey launched
after President Trump abruptly withdrew U.S. troops from the area,
clearing the way for the offensive. Speaking alongside Erdogan from the
Oval Office, Trump said Wednesday the only U.S. troops remaining in
eastern Syria were there to protect oil.

President Donald Trump: "We're keeping the oil. We have the oil. The oil
is secure. We left troops behind only for the oil."

President Trump also claimed that he had spoken with Kurdish-led Syrian
Democratic Forces, who he said were "very satisfied" with the change in
U.S. policy. The claim was directly contradicted by SDF commander
Mazloum Abdi, who tweeted, "During Erdogan-@real Donald Trump meeting,
Turkish forces launched fierce attacks on predominantly Christian town
of Til Temir, causing massive displacement of the residents, in clear
violation of the cease-fire agreement."


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