U.S. LIFTS TURKEY SANCTIONS.

U.S. lifts sanctions against Turkey

WASHINGTON • U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday a ceasefire in northern Syria is now permanent and he lifted sanctions on Turkey as a result, rejecting criticism of his decision to pull out U.S. troops and allow Kurdish allies to come under attack.

Trump’s move, announced in a White House speech, did not blunt attacks from U.S. lawmakers over his abrupt decision early this month to withdraw U.S. troops out of northeastern Syria to clear the way for a Turkish invasion.

Trump described the truce as a “major breakthrough” negotiated by a team led by Vice-President Mike Pence. Trump said he had instructed Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to rescind the sanctions imposed on Turkey in response to its moves against the Kurds “unless something happens that we are not happy with.”

“Countless lives are now being saved as a result of our negotiation with Turkey, an outcome reached without spilling one drop of American blood: no injuries, nobody shot, nobody killed,” Trump said.

But questions remained about Trump’s policy and Congress was still working on a sanctions package of its own intended to punish Turkey for its cross-border offensive.

Kurdish allies who helped the United States in its war against Islamic State militants felt abandoned by Trump, whose policy created an opening that Russia is capitalizing on by moving forces into the area.

The fate of Islamic State militants in Syrian Kurdish prisons also remained up in the air.

Trump’s special envoy for Syria said on Wednesday that U.S. forces had seen evidence of war crimes during Turkey’s offensive, and had demanded an explanation from Ankara.

“We haven’t seen widespread evidence of ethnic cleansing,” said James Jeffrey, special representative for Syria, at a House of Representatives hearing.

“Many people fled because they’re very concerned about these Turkish-supported Syrian opposition forces, as we are. We’ve seen several incidents which we consider war crimes,” Jeffrey said.

He said U.S. officials were looking into those reports and at “a high-level” had demanded an explanation from Turkey’s government. He also said U.S. officials were investigating a report that the restricted burning white phosphorus had been used during the Turkish offensive.

Many lawmakers, including Trump’s fellow Republicans as well as Democrats, disagree with Trump’s decision to withdraw troops from Syria.

Turkish officials have denied that war crimes were committed.