Turkish units conduct patrols in Syria's Manbij
Turkish troops are due to reach the city center of Syria’s Manbij as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)’s Syrian affiliate, the YPG/PYD, withdraws. On Monday, the Turkish army announced the start of patrols in Manbij by Turkish and U.S. troops in line with a previously agreed-upon roadmap for eliminating terrorists and stabilizing the area.
The troops are due to enter Manbij after passing through the countryside of Dadat, Shuyukh Tahtani and Fawqani. Once the terror group is cleared from the Euphrates River’s west, an area of 3,600 square kilometers will be secured.
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 implementation of the Manbij roadmap is being evaluated as the result of Turkey’s resolute stance on terror, and sources claim that following the actualization of the roadmap, the YPG/PYD terror group will no longer be able to occupy northern Syria.
Manbij locals recently held demonstrations against the YPG/PYD and hailed Turkey’s Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations which cleared Syrian regions of terror elements.
The largest tribe in the northern Syrian city of Manbij said on Tuesday it supports the Turkish troops patrolling the region and expects the U.S. to fulfill its commitment.In a statement, Elbubanna said: “We are following closely the implementation of the Manbij roadmap reached by Turkey and the U.S."We as the biggest tribe in Manbij support the patrolling of Turkish troops, which will play a major role in ensuring stability and security, on behalf of all our members inside and outside Manbij and on behalf of all free tribes.“The U.S. is required to fulfill its commitment to withdraw all YPG/PKK terrorists from Manbij to east of the Euphrates so that people who escaped from Manbij are able to return to their home."The U.S. should establish a civilian government that manages the region by consolidating the whole community in Manbij, takes care of private property, and respects the freedom and traditions of the people."Turkey to continue destroying PKK strongholds in QandilThe Manbij roadmap was announced after a June 4 meeting in Washington between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.The deal focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the northern Syrian city of Manbij and on stability in the region.Should the model prove a success, Turkey has said it will push for a similar arrangement in eastern Syria.
Largest tribe in Manbij back Turkish patrol forces
The Manbij roadmap was first announced after a meeting in Washington between Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The deal focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the northern Syrian city and establishing stability in the region.
Turkish soldiers patrolling in Manbij are giving locals hope that they can go back home, according to a prominent longtime resident of the northeastern Syria city.Ibrahim Alhaji, who served a decade as an undersecretary at Syria’s Justice Ministry after 12 years as a judge and prosecutor in Manbij, took refuge in Turkey after Daesh occupied Manbij.“Turkish troops patrolling Manbij will make positive contributions to people in the region,” Alhaji told Anadolu Agency on Tuesday.For the last five years Alhaji and his six children have taken refuge in Reyhanli in Turkey’s southern province of Hatay."Security is the leading problem in Manbij. The YPG terrorist organization in Manbij is the same as the Syrian regime soldiers. Only their clothes are different," Alhaji said.“Most of the population in Manbij are Arabs. There’s no difference between us and Turkey. Our culture and religion are common. We live our lives in peace and security in Turkey."If security is provided in Manbij, people who fled their land due to the oppression of the YPG terrorist organization and the Daesh terrorist group will return to their homes."Daesh executed six people close to me in Manbij, and 10 others were killed by the regime in various places in Syria," he said.The Turkish army on Monday announced the start of patrols in Manbij by both countries' troops in line with a previously agreed roadmap for eliminating terrorists and stabilizing the area.In a tweet, the Turkish Armed Forces said patrols were being carried out between Manbij and the area liberated by Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield.The roadmap was first announced after a June 3 meeting in Washington between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.The deal focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the northern Syrian city and stability in the region.Arabs account for more than 90 percent of the local population in Manbij.
'Turkish patrols in Manbij give hope for homecoming'
Turkey has said that the presence of terror forces near its border constitute a threat and has launched military operations and other efforts to rid the region of terrorists.
The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. The PKK has been conducting armed violence in the southeastern part of Turkey since 1984. More than 40,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the three-decade long conflict.
Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdağ hailed Turkey’s successful diplomatic efforts which ensured patrols by Turkish and U.S. units in Syria’s Manbij and will ultimately lead to the withdrawal of terrorists from the YPG/PYD, the Syrian affiliate of the Kurdistan workers’ Party (PKK).“Our diplomatic efforts regarding Manbij bearing results show that Turkey is strong both on the field and at the [diplomacy] table. We are currently actualizing a diplomatic solution step by step,” Bozdağ said.“Turkish and U.S. units have started independent patrols [near Manbij]. After a certain phase, the troops will patrol together. We will ensure the withdrawal of YPG/PYD terrorists together. Technical negotiations regarding the Manbij administration are ongoing,” Bozdağ said.Video: Joint Turkey-US patrol forces enter Syria's Manbij“Turkey and the U.S. will jointly decide as to who will be positioned in the local administration. An armed solution is not always the solution, but when we had no choice we did not shy from taking such a step. We have a timeline spanning 90 days,” he added."We have a 90 days' timetable. [It schedules] what will be done within a week, in two weeks, in a month, and so on,” Bekir Bozdag told reporters in the central Yozgat province."A timetable is set, and as part of that timetable, tasks have begun to be done step by step," Bozdag said."While a joint work is carried out to liberate the area from the terrorists, simultaneous efforts for the administration and the security of the region are being addressed and solved," Bozdag said, adding that a new security unit would be established and the city's administration would be handed over to the local people on Manbij.In accordance with the Manbij Roadmap and Manbij Security Principles, coordinated independent patrol activities by Turkish and U.S. forces began on June 18, along the demarcation line north of Manbij."The coordinated patrols are part of the commitment to long-term security and stability in Manbij, and the U.S. commitment to NATO ally Turkey," Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon said.First phase of Turkey-US Manbij roadmap becomes clearThe roadmap was first announced after a meeting in Washington on June 4 between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.The deal focuses on the withdrawal of the 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.Turkey has said the presence of terror forces near its border constitute a threat and has launched military operations and other efforts to rid the region of terrorists.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken some 40,000 lives.'Manbij deal would not exist without Olive Branch op'Turkish, US patrols in Syria's Manbij to continue resolutely: Presidential spoxErdoğan confirms Turkey-US patrols in Syria’s Manbij
Manbij roadmap shows Turkey’s diplomatic strength: Bozdağ
Turkish units are set to take control over the strategic residential district of Dadat, located 12 kilometers from the Manbij city center in northern Syria, after the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) announced the start of patrols in the city following the withdrawal of terrorists from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)’s Syria affiliate, the YPG, within the scope of the Turkey- U.S. agreement. After ensuring security over the Jarabulus- Manbij axis, Turkish forces are set to enter the Manbij city center. According to military sources, the agreement must be extended to include regions east of the Euphrates River, such as Horozköy, the Qarakozak bridge area of Sirrin and the Tishreen Dam, a crucial source of water and electricity, all of which must be placed under Turkey’s control.In order to ensure security in Manbij and the Euphrates Shield region, the safe zone is expected to encapsulate the city’s geographical borders.The Turkish army on Monday announced the start of patrols in Manbij by both countries' troops in line with a previously agreed roadmap for eliminating terrorists and stabilizing the area.'Manbij deal would not exist without Olive Branch op'Turkish, US patrols in Syria's Manbij to continue resolutely: Presidential spoxErdoğan confirms Turkey-US patrols in Syria’s ManbijIn a tweet, the Turkish Armed Forces said that patrols were being carried out between Manbij and Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield area.The roadmap was first announced after a meeting on June 4 in Washington between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.The deal focuses on the withdrawal of the 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.Turkey has said that the presence of terror forces near its border constitute a threat and has launched military operations and other efforts to rid the region of terrorists.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken some 40,000 lives. The YPG/PYD is its Syrian branch.Video: Joint Turkey-US patrol forces enter Syria's Manbij
First phase of Turkey-US Manbij roadmap becomes clear
The Syrian Turkmen Assembly (STA) Monday welcomed the Manbij roadmap devised by Turkey and the U.S., saying that the deal would not have been reached if Turkey had not launched Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin.STA leader Mohamed Wajih Joma told Anadolu Agency that the Manbij deal would not only clear the region from terrorism but also "help us return our country and it will perhaps constitute a first step of the political settlement in Syria", he added.Joma's words came after Turkish-U.S. forces began patrols earlier Monday in Syria's Manbij in line with a previously agreed roadmap for eliminating terrorists.Turkish, US units begin coordinated patrols near Syria's Manbij: Pentagon"The Manbij deal would not exist without Operation Olive Branch. The U.S, the side supporting the PYD/PKK, kneeled before Turkey's political will and this deal was reached," he added.On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to remove YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists from northwestern Syria's Afrin region. On March 18, Day 58 of the operation, Turkish troops, and Free Syrian Army members liberated the town of Afrin.The existence of a roadmap was first announced after a meeting in Washington earlier this month between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.Video: Joint Turkey-US patrol forces enter Syria's ManbijTurkey has said the presence of terrorist forces near its border constitutes 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.Turkish, US patrols in Syria's Manbij to continue resolutely: Presidential spoxErdoğan confirms Turkey-US patrols in Syria’s ManbijTurkish PM says soldiers began duties in Syria's Manbij
'Manbij deal would not exist without Olive Branch op'