A Turkish soldier is seen in Afrin city center, Syria, on March 19, 2018. (Xinhua File photo)
ANKARA, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Turkey is ready to take over the security in Syria's Manbij without delay, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a phone conversation with his U.S. counterpart late Sunday.
During the phone call, Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to accelerate talks between their chiefs of staff regarding a safe zone in northern Syria, Turkish presidency said in a statement.
The Manbij bomb attack that left four U.S. soldiers dead on Thursday is a provocation aimed to hinder U.S. withdrawal from Syria, Erdogan said.
The two countries also agreed to jointly clear Islamic State (IS) remnants of Syria and prevent their return.
Last week, Trump suggested in a tweet creating a safe zone in Syria, which is supported by Ankara.
Erdogan on Tuesday welcomed the U.S. proposal for a 32-km safe zone inside northeastern Syria, and stressed that the zone will be set up and controlled by Turkey.