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Turkish and American armed forces on Monday completed their 22nd round of patrols in the northern Syrian city of Manbij as part of a deal with the U.S. to rid the area of the YPG/PKK terror group.
In a statement, the Turkish General Staff said forces of both countries conducted separate coordinated patrols in the region between areas liberated by Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield and Manbij.
The first patrols by Turkish and U.S. troops in the region began on June 18.
The Turkish-U.S. relationship can be saved and improved provided that "the U.S. administration takes Turkey's security concerns seriously," Turkey's presidential spokesman said.In a column, titled “Basic rule of Turkish-US relations: Mutual respect and shared interest,” published on Saturday in Daily Sabah, Ibrahim Kalin said the U.S. took a series of steps in recent years to undermine its strategic partnership with Turkey and weaken a relationship that had been strong and mutually productive."Washington's Faustian pact with that terrorist group, which the Obama administration promised would be "temporary, transactional and tactical," at the time, was adopted by the Trump administration last year. While it is true that the current administration has gradually distanced itself from U.S. Central Command's (CENTCOM) strategy and, as part of this effort, agreed to a road map for the YPG's long-awaited withdrawal from Manbij, the lack of a concrete policy change continues to haunt the relationship,” Kalin wrote.“Turkey is justified to expect that the U.S. disengage from the YPG militants, who are currently in talks with the Assad regime, without delay," he added.Kalin said Trump administration's "unwillingness" to take concrete steps to investigate and prosecute crimes committed by Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) on U.S. soil has been "disappointing, to say the least, for Turkey."FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen were behind the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.Ankara accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.The Presidential aide wrote that Turkey "cannot turn a blind eye to the actions of a NATO ally when they threaten its national security at home and abroad.""President Trump may have good intentions for relations with President Erdogan and Turkey," he said, adding: "This will certainly be reciprocated when the relationship is based on mutual respect and shared interest."Tension between the two NATO allies increased once again when U.S. President Donald Trump sent a tweet threatening to impose sanctions on Turkey if pastor Andrew Craig Brunson -- who faces terrorism-related charges -- is not released.Ankara has balked strongly at Trump threatening Turkey with sanctions if it does not release Brunson, who is charged with spying for the PKK -- a designated terrorist group in the U.S. and Turkey -- and the FETO.
Turkey expects 'mutual respect' in ties with US
The Manbij deal between Turkey and the U.S. focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the city in order to stabilize the region.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken some 40,000 lives, including many women and children. The YPG/PKK is its Syrian branch.
The YPG/PKK terrorist group is reportedly in talks with Syria’s Assad regime on the proposed transfer of the northern city of Manbij to the latter, with both parties planning to provide local security. Although some observers have claimed that the YPG/PKK has entirely withdrawn from Manbij, indications suggest that the group still maintains an active presence in the city.While the terrorist group and the Assad regime appear to be stepping up their partnership, Turkish and U.S. forces have continued to conduct joint patrols in the region as part of a deal aimed at purging the area of the YPG/PKK presence. According to information obtained by Anadolu Agency correspondents based in the region, the “military council” of the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) -- a regional proxy for the PKK terrorist group -- and Assad regime officials are holding regular talks over Manbij’s political fate. Earlier this month, regime officials and YPG/PKK representatives from northeastern Iraq’s Qandil Mountain region held talks in Aleppo.On Sunday, both sides reportedly met once again -- in the same city -- to discuss the same issue.Turkish NGOs bring peace, aid to Syria’s AfrinThird convoy of evacuees from Quneitra arrives in IdlibSunday’s meeting in Aleppo was reportedly attended by Syrian Baath Party officials Fadel Jabbar, Abdullah Hussein and Ahmad Gabhan. The YPG/PKK, for its part, was represented at the meeting by Mohamed Karidi (commander of the group’s “Manbij military council”), Ibrahim Bennawi, Mohamed Guweyshi and Shukri al-Awni. According to sources close to the meeting, attendees discussed means of opposing Turkish military intervention in northern Syria and the anticipated return of regime forces to Manbij.The Assad regime and the YPG/PKK have reportedly agreed to form a joint “police force” to secure the area composed of pro-regime tribesmen and YPG/PKK terrorists. On Sunday, the group’s “military council” reiterated its refusal -- via social media -- to relinquish control of Manbij to the Turkish Armed Forces, asserting its preference for handing the city over to the Damascus regime. - Turkey/US patrols Since June 18, Turkish and U.S. forces have been conducting joint security patrols of the region. The patrols come as part of a Turkish-U.S. agreement aimed at stabilizing Manbij and securing the YPG/PKK’s withdrawal from the area.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- of which the YPG is the Syrian branch -- has claimed some 40,000 lives, including women and children.Should the Manbij model prove successful, Turkey will push for a similar arrangement in eastern Syria. Ankara says the presence of terrorist groups near its border constitutes a clear and present threat and has launched a series of military operations with the stated aim of clearing the region of terrorist elements.In August 2016, U.S.-backed YPG/PKK terrorists established a foothold in Aleppo's Manbij district on the pretext of fighting the Daesh terrorist group. According to estimates, ethnic Arabs account for more than 90 percent of Manbij’s population.Syria has only just begun to emerge from a devastating conflict that began in 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on demonstrators with unexpected ferocity.*Ali Murat Alhas contributed to this report from Ankara
YPG/PKK terrorists, Syrian regime collaborate on Manbij
Should the Manbij model prove a success, Turkey will push for a similar arrangement in eastern Syria.
Turkey has said the presence of terror forces near its border constitutes a threat and has launched military operations and other efforts to rid the region of terrorists.