Donald Trump has acknowledged a US-brokered ceasefire in northeastern Syria was at least temporarily disrupted by “minor sniper and mortar fire” after his decision to withdraw troops threw the region into violent instability.

The president posted a series of tweets on Friday claiming “big progress being made” in Syria a day after Mike Pence, the vice president and Mike Pompeo, secretary of state, visited Turkey to map out a 120-hour ceasefire. The vice president announced the ceasefire on Thursday afternoon after five hours of negotiations with Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan.

Despite reports of shelling in Syria, Mr Trump said the Turkish president “very much wants the ceasefire, or pause, to work”.

“Likewise, the Kurds want it, and the ultimate solution, to happen,” he added. “Too bad there wasn’t this thinking years ago.”

His comments came as the US was in the process of withdrawing its troops from Syria. The president’s decision effectively allowed Turkey to begin an invasion into the area that included a massive offence against Kurdish fighters – who the US views as allied forces and Turkey views as being linked to terrorist groups.

Turkey launches offensive into Syria Show all 25 1 /25 Turkey launches offensive into Syria Turkey launches offensive into Syria Turkish soldiers with armored vehicles EPA Turkey launches offensive into Syria A woman flees with her children during Turkish bombardment on Syria's northeastern town of Ras al-Ain AFP/Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria Smoke billows following Turkish bombardment on Syria's northeastern town of Ras al-Ain in the Hasakeh province along the Turkish border on October 9, 2019. - Turkey launched an assault on Kurdish forces in northern Syria with air strikes and explosions reported along the border. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the start of the attack on Twitter, labelling it "Operation Peace Spring". (Photo by Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP) (Photo by DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images) DELIL SOULEIMAN AFP/Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria The first group of Turkish infantry prepare to enter Syria on the border Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria Civilians flee AFP/Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria Smoke billows from targets inside Syria AP Turkey launches offensive into Syria Turkish armoured vehicles enter Syria in Akcakale Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria Civilians leave as smoke rises from Ras al-Ain AFP Turkey launches offensive into Syria A multi-rocket launcher fires in an unknown location Turkish Defence Ministry via Reuters Turkey launches offensive into Syria People wave as Turkish soldiers prepare to cross the border Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria Girls stand together in Ras al Ain town Reuters Turkey launches offensive into Syria A woman walks as smoke billows following Turkish bombardment in Syria's northeastern town of Ras al-Ain AFP/Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria A Turkish army's tank drives down from a truck towards the border with Syria AFP/Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria Turkish jet taxis on tarmac after returning to a military base in southeast Diyarbakir Reuters Turkey launches offensive into Syria A Turkish armored vehicle drives down a road during a military operation in Kurdish areas of northern Syria EPA Turkey launches offensive into Syria People sit on belongings at a back of a truck as they flee Ras al Ain town Reuters Turkey launches offensive into Syria Turkey-backed Syrian opposition fighters enter Tel Abyad AFP/Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria Civilians flee AFP/Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria People flee Tal Abyad North Press Agency/Reuters TV Turkey launches offensive into Syria People wave as Turkish soldiers prepare to cross the border into Syria Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria Civilians flee with their belongings AFP/Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria Civilians flee during Turkish bombardment on Syria's northeastern town of Ras al-Ain in the Hasakeh province along the Turkish border on October 9, 2019. - Turkey launched a broad assault on Kurdish-controlled areas in northeastern Syria today, with intensive bombardment paving the way for an invasion made possible by the withdrawal of US troops. (Photo by Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP) (Photo by DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images) DELIL SOULEIMAN AFP/Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, speaks with Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, left, as they watch the operation by Turkish forces in Kurdish areas EPA Turkey launches offensive into Syria Smoke rises from the Syrian town of Tal Abyad AFP/Getty Turkey launches offensive into Syria Turkey-backed members of Syrian National Army prepare for moving to Turkey with heavy armed vehicles EPA

Kurdish forces fought alongside US troops in the fight against Isis and have been described by military experts as the nation’s invaluable allies in the region. The Kurds lost some 11,000 fighters while eradicating the so-called Isis-controlled Caliphate, and battling terrorism.

The president described the region prior to his troop withdrawal as having been “held together with very weak band-aids” an “in an artificial manner”.

He also claimed there was “good will on both sides” and “a really good chance for success” despite the reported disruption of the previously announced ceasefire.

He also appeared to acknowledge reports of Isis detainees overseen by Kurdish forces having escaped prisons after the US allied troops fled from Turkey.

“The US has secured the Oil” and the “Isis fighter are double secured by Kurds [and] Turkey,” Mr Trump wrote.

He also claimed to have “just been notified that some European Nations are now willing, for the first time, to take the ISIS Fighters that came from their nations”.

He added: “This is good news, but should have been done after WE captured them. Anyway, big progress being made!!!!”

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

On Friday even some Republicans took aim at the president: "Withdrawing US forces from Syria is a grave strategic mistake. It will leave the American people and homeland less safe, embolden our enemies, and weaken important alliances," Sen Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wrote on Friday in a Washington Post opinion column.

The Turkish president also tweeted following the announcement of the ceasefire on Thursday, saying “many more lives will be saved when we defeat terrorism, which is humanity’s arch enemy”.