Turkey's Invasion Of Syria -- News Updates October 16, 2019

CNN: Erdogan says Turkey will 'never declare a ceasefire'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has dismissed US calls for a ceasefire in northern Syria and said that he's not worried about American-imposed sanctions, or the advancement of Russian-backed Syrian forces toward the Turkish border.

Speaking to journalists traveling on his presidential plane following a visit to Azerbaijan Tuesday, Erdogan said a ceasefire was off the table. "Declare a ceasefire, they say. We will never declare a ceasefire," Erdogan said. "We do not sit at the table with terrorist organizations."

Erdogan's comments come as Russian-backed Syrian regime troops on Tuesday gained control of the town of Manbij and surrounding areas, until recently an active US military outpost.

Russia has stepped up its role in the Syrian conflict by deploying military police to the country's north -- filling a vacuum left by the withdrawal of US troops from the area.

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Turkey's Invasion Of Syria -- News Updates October 16, 2019

Turkey's military operation in Syria: All the latest updates -- Al Jazeera
Syria troops fight Turkish forces alongside Kurds: monitor -- AFP
Turkey Urges Kurdish Fighters to Lay Down Their Arms -- The New York Times
Turkey defiant on Syria operation as US demands ceasefire -- AFP
Erdogan says Turkey will 'never' declare ceasefire in northern Syria -- France24
Turkey-Syria offensive: Erdogan vows to press on with 'safe zone' plan -- BBC
Russia offers to mediate in Syria, asserting its role -- AP
New front in Syria's war: Why Manbij matters -- Al Jazeera
Turkish patriotism on display amid Syria operation -- AP