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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
World
Fionnula Hainey

Turkish president reportedly threw Trump's 'don't be a tough guy' letter in the bin

The Turkish president reportedly threw Donald Trump's letter about Syria straight in the bin.

Sources close to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the BBC that the letter, sent on the same day Turkey launched a major offensive against Kurdish-led forces, was "thoroughly rejected".

The US president warned Mr Erdogan "You don't want to be responsible for slaughtering thousands of people" in the letter penned on October 9.

Mr Trump started on a positive note by suggesting they "work out a good deal," but then talked about crippling economic sanctions and concluded that the world "will look upon you forever as the devil if good things don't happen. Don't be a tough guy. Don't be a fool!".

In response, Turkish presidential sources said: "President Erdogan received the letter, thoroughly rejected it and put it in the bin," the BBC reports.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gestures as he addresses his ruling party legislators at the Parliament, in Ankara (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

Severe condemnation of Mr Trump's failure to deter the Turkish president's assault on the Kurds sparked bipartisan outrage in the US and calls for swift punishment for the Nato ally.

Republicans and Democrats in the House, bitterly divided over the Trump impeachment inquiry, banded together for an overwhelming 354-60 denunciation of the US troop withdrawal.

Many lawmakers expressed worry that the withdrawal may lead to revival of IS as well as Russian presence and influence in the area - in addition to the slaughter of many Kurds.

Smoke rises over the Syrian town of Ras al-Ain, as seen from the Turkish border town on in Ceylanpinar, Turkey. The military action is part of a campaign to extend Turkish control of more of northern Syria, a large swath of which is currently held by Syrian Kurds, whom Turkey regards as a threat. (Burak Kara/Getty Images)

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell publicly broke with Mr Trump to call the US relationship with the Kurds "a great alliance".

President Trump declared the US has no stake in defending Kurdish fighters, who died by the thousands as America's partners against so-called Islamic State extremists.

But a US delegation - led by Vice President Mike Pence - which arrived in Turkey today is pressing the country to accept a ceasefire in northern Syria.

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