Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Turkey's Samsun
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday confirmed Turkish Armed Forces in cooperation with U.S. troops had begun patrolling the northern Syrian city of Manbij.
Erdoğan’s remarks came during his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party’s election rally in the Black Sea province of Samsun.
Armored vehicles belonging to the Turkish army were stationed around Sajur river which runs through the town of Jarabulus, in the area where Operation Euphrates Shield took place, and Manbij.
Operation Euphrates Shield, which began in August 2016 and ended in March 2017, was aimed at eliminating the terrorist threat along the Turkish border with the use of the Free Syrian Army, backed by Turkish artillery and air cover.
Turkish Armed Forces in cooperation with U.S. troops on Monday began patrolling the northern Syrian city of Manbij, local sources said.
Joint Turkey-US patrol forces enter Syria's Manbij
The joint forces carried out patrols in an area overlooking the U.S. base in Syria's town of Dadat.
The patrols, in line with a roadmap devised by the U.S. and Turkey on the issue of Manbij, lasted around three hours.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim also confirmed the launch of the joint patrols during a meeting with civil society representatives in Istanbul.
“As of today, our soldiers have also begun their duty in Manbij. They are working with the U.S. to liberate Manbij from terrorist elements,” Yildirim said.
Turkish troops have begun carrying out duties in the northern Syrian town of Manbij, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said on Monday.Turkish Armed Forces in cooperation with U.S. troops on Monday began patrolling the northern Syrian city of Manbij, local sources said.Armoured vehicles of Turkish army were stationed around Sajur stream which divides Jarablus town, in the Operation Euphrates Shield area, and Manbij.Video: Joint Turkey-US patrol forces enter Syria's ManbijThe joint forces carried out patrols in an area overlooking the U.S. base in Syria's Dadat town.The patrols, in line with the roadmap on Manbij, lasted around three hours.Speaking to reporters in the southern province of Antalya, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said Manbij would be cleared of the YPG/PKK terrorists as soon as possible.In a tweet, the Turkish Armed Forces said the patrols were being carried out between Manbij and Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield area.Anti-Daesh Coalition confirms France-PKK/YPG cooperation in SyriaUS-led coalition strikes Assad regime position in SyriaThe roadmap was first announced after a meeting in Washington last week between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.The deal focuses on the withdrawal of PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the northern Syrian city and stability in the region.Should the model prove to be a success, Turkey will push for a similar arrangement in eastern Syria.In its over-30-year terrorist campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken some 40,000 lives. The YPG/PKK is its Syrian branch.Turkey has said the presence of terrorist forces near its border constitute a threat, and has launched military operations and other efforts to rid the region of terrorists.
Turkish PM says soldiers began duties in Syria's Manbij
At a news briefing on the issue, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said: "[Turkish forces] have also started entering Manbij. The YPG [terrorists] will be repelled from Manbij."
Cavusoglu said the goal was to implement the previously agreed roadmap first in Manbij and then to continue in other cities.
"We aim to repel YPG [terrorists] from all areas they control and to stabilize these areas," Cavusoglu said, adding that the final goal was to leave these areas to the residents.
Meanwhile, presidential aide Ibrahim Kalin tweeted: “For the safety of our country and the territorial integrity of Syria, these efforts will be continued with diligence and determination.
Turkish Presidential Spokesman İbrahim Kalın on Monday said joint patrols launched between Ankara and Washington would ensure Turkey’s national security and protect Syria’s territorial integrity“These efforts will be carried out meticulously and resolutely for the security of our nation and for the territorial integrity of Syria,” Kalın tweeted in response to the Turkish army’s announcement that patrols in Manbij were underway.The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) in cooperation with U.S. troops began patrolling the northern Syrian city of Manbij on Monday.Video: Joint Turkey-US patrol forces enter Syria's ManbijThe roadmap was first announced after a meeting in Washington last week between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.The deal focuses on the withdrawal of PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the northern Syrian city and stability in the region.Should the model prove to be a success, Turkey will push for a similar arrangement in eastern Syria.Erdoğan confirms Turkey-US patrols in Syria’s ManbijIn its over-30-year terrorist campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken some 40,000 lives. The YPG/PKK is its Syrian branch.Turkey has said the presence of terrorist forces near its border constitute a threat, and has launched military operations and other efforts to rid the region of terrorists.Turkish PM says soldiers began duties in Syria's Manbij
Turkish, US patrols in Syria's Manbij to continue resolutely: Presidential spox
The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces on Monday welcomed the launch of U.S. and Turkish patrols in Manbij in line with the June 4 agreement between the two countries.
In a statement, national coalition leader Abdurrahman Mustafa described the move as “an important step towards ensuring stability in liberated areas, repatriating displaced persons, and safeguarding the area from terrorist groups”.
The existence of a roadmap was first announced after a meeting in Washington last week between Cavusoglu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Turkey has said the presence of terrorist forces near its border constitute a threat, and has launched military operations and other efforts to rid the region of terrorists.
The deal focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the northern Syrian city in order to stabilize in the region.
Should the model prove to be a success, Turkey will push for a similar arrangement in eastern Syria.
In its over-30-year terrorist campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken some 40,000 lives. The YPG/PKK is its Syrian branch.