Kurdish forces in north-eastern Syria are preparing to remove heavy weapons and fighters from the strip along the Turkish border that is to be protected by a safe zone agreed by Washington and Ankara.
The YPG militia withdrew from the Tal Abyad and Ras Al Ain border positions in recent days, proving it is serious about ongoing talks, the Kurdish-led authority in north and east Syria said.
The withdrawal marks a sign of progress in talks between Washington and Ankara seeking to resolve deep differences over the presence along the border of Kurdish fighters - US allies that Turkey sees as enemies.
After Ankara repeatedly warned it would launch a military incursion into northeast Syria targeting the YPG, Turkey and the United States said this month they had agreed on the first stages of a security deal along the border.