ALEPPO, Syria — Hours after Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu announced Aug. 12 that Turkey and the United States had agreed on the terms to establish a “safe zone” in northern Syria, Washington swiftly denied it. According to Sinirlioglu, the safe zone would stretch over 98 kilometers (61 miles) in length and 45 kilometers (28 miles) in width in the north of Syria. However, despite these contradicting statements, there are several indications on the ground confirming that the establishment of such a zone is in the offing.

The establishment of a safe zone has become an urgent need for Turkey now more than ever, especially following the takeover of Tell Abyad by the People’s Protection Units (YPG) June 16 with the support of the international coalition. The YPG has emerged as a force to be reckoned with along the southern Turkish border. A safe zone would limit the influx of Syrian refugees into Turkey. What is more, this safe zone would act as a safe haven for millions of Syrians fleeing blazing battles in their country.

The first indication that the involved parties are establishing a safe zone is the withdrawal of Jabhat al-Nusra from the villages adjacent to the Turkish border in the northern Aleppo countryside — which would be part of the alleged safe zone — stretching from the city of Jarabulus in the northeast to the south of Marea.

Washington regards Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Qaeda’s branch in Syria, as an enemy and put it on its list of terrorist organizations in December 2012. Since Sept. 23, 2014, the warplanes of the US-led international coalition forces have been targeting the group’s sites. In light of this fact, it is likely Washington will not allow the establishment of a safe zone that could provide protection for Jabhat al-Nusra.