ErdoÄŸan threatens to ramp up assault on Kurds in Syria 'safe zone'

Turkish leader says he will act 'even more strongly' as end of US-brokered ceasefire looms

The Turkish president has threatened to press ahead with an operation against Kurdish-led forces in Syria "even more strongly" if promises made by the US regarding the withdrawal of Kurdish fighters have not been met by the time a five-day ceasefire expires.

Up to 1,300 fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are yet to vacate Ankara's proposed border "safe zone", as per the terms of a ceasefire announced by the US vice-president, Mike Pence, in Ankara last week, Recep Tayyip ErdoAan told reporters before flying to Russia.