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Turkey's Erdogan Slams US Over Delays in Syria Buffer Zone

by Associated Press

   ANKARA --

   Turkey's president has slammed the U.S. over delays in establishing a
   buffer zone in Syria, saying that if Washington won't contribute to the
   effort, Ankara will do it alone.

   Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Donald Trump last month discussed
   setting up safe zone east of the Euphrates River in Syria.
   Turkey has demanded Syrian Kurdish militia withdraw from there and
   Erdogan has been seeking logistical and financial assistance from
   Washington for that.
   Erdogan said Tuesday that if the U.S. doesn't keep to its promise to
   "cleanse the region of terrorists'' and doesn't contribute in the
   creation of a safe zone under Turkey's control, "then we will take care
   of our own business.''
   Erdogan warned Ankara's patience is waning over delays in Kurdish
   fighters' withdrawal from the Syrian town of Manbij.