Turkey pledges to launch a military operation against YPG/PKK in the strategically important city of Manbij.
Talk of a possible military operation launched by Turkey in Syria’s Manbij has spread fear among the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Turkey will "do whatever is necessary" regarding Syria's northern city of Manbij, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Friday.
"They [the U.S.] promised us. They said: 'We will leave here in 90 days'. They did not leave. Whatever is necessary will be done," Erdoğan said.
Within the context of the Manbij roadmap, which was agreed upon between Turkey and the U.S. in June this year, PKK/YPG terrorist forces were set to desert the region within a 90-day period.
At least 25 PKK terrorists were "neutralized" in counter-terrorism operations across Turkey over the past week, the country’s Interior Ministry said Monday.Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply that the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured. The ministry said in a statement that a total of 2,912 anti-terror operations were conducted between Oct. 8 and 15. A total of 14 terrorists were killed, five were captured, while another six terrorists surrendered to Turkish security forces, the statement said.In eight provinces 35 shelters of the terrorist organization were destroyed, while security forces seized 22 hand grenades, 20 improvised explosives and mines, 653 kilograms (1,440 pounds) of explosive material, 17 long-barreled weapons and 1,881 rounds of ammunition.Turkish soldiers at the ready for possible op in east of EuphratesAdditionally, a total of 848 were arrested for aiding and abetting the terror group, the statement added.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.Meanwhile, the security forces also arrested 4,402 suspects for crimes linked to drugs and smuggling, 339 others for human trafficking, according to the statement.A total of 7,276 irregular migrants were caught during the operations, according to the statement.Turkish forces 'neutralize' 6 PKK terrorists in N.Iraq
Turkey neutralizes 25 terrorists in nationwide operations over past week
The head of one of Manbij’s most important tribes, Abdulkerim al-Fahhel, told Yeni Şafak daily in an exclusive interview that news of the operation had caused distress among the terror group.
“They [PKK] are aware that they will not be able to survive here. The struggling people of Manbij await Turkey. We know where the tunnels are and how long they are. We share all this information with Turkish officials.”
Turkey pledges to launch a military operation against YPG/PKK in the strategically important city of Manbij that lies west of the Euphrates River in northern Syria, as part of Operation Olive Branch. Manbij lies northeast of Aleppo, just south of the Turkish border.
The border crossing between Jordan and Syria officially opened to civilians and trade on Monday after being closed for three years.The Nassib crossing opened an 8 a.m. (0500 GMT), a border official on the Jordanian side in Jaber told Reuters, but added that there had been no traffic so far. One civilian could be seen waiting to cross.Jordanian state news agency Petra reported early on Monday that Jordan and Syria had agreed to open the border to all in a change from an earlier statement that normal traffic would not be allowed until a later date."We are fully ready to receive passengers and transport of goods," Imad Riyalat, head of the Jaber crossing, told Reuters. "We expect the traffic to be slow now at the start, but in coming days we expect passenger movement to pick up."Leader of Russia-backed Crimea to visit SyriaThe Syrian government retook the area around the Nassib border crossing with Jordan in July during a Russian-backed offensive to drive the oppositionnfrom their stronghold in southwest Syria. The civil war in Syria began more than seven years ago.The closure of the Nassib crossing in 2015 cut a crucial transit route for hundreds of trucks a day transporting goods between Turkey and the Gulf, and Lebanon and the Gulf, in multi-billion dollar annual trade.Since then, Syria's only normally operating frontier crossing has been with Lebanon, which itself has no other functioning land borders.Turkish soldiers at the ready for possible op in east of EuphratesOpening the border will also be important for Lebanon, which relies on Syria for overland connections to all other countries because its only other frontier is with Israel, with which it has no ties.Syrian state television footage showed the Syrian side of the crossing as being virtually empty, with just a couple of vehicles present. State news agency SANA said the logistical arrangements for opening the crossing had been completed."A Jordanian citizen may leave for Syria in their own car or as a regular passenger. Jordanian cargo is also allowed to leave for Syria according to the Jordanian-Syrian agreement," Petra said on Monday.Petra said Syrians entering Jordan must first obtain security clearance from Jordanian authorities. Turkey, US train for joint patrols in Syria's Manbij
Jordan and Syria reopen Nassib border crossing
“U.S. always lies and supports the PKK”
“Regardless of how many tunnels are dug, they [PKK] will be cleared from Manbij as they were cleared from Afrin. The people of Afrin showed [Turkish] soldiers where the tunnels were, and the same will happen in Manbij. We don’t just want the PKK gone, we also want the U.S. kicked out. The U.S. always lies and supports the PKK. The U.S. will lose alongside the PKK in Manbij,” al-Fahhel said.
Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20, 2018 in Syria’s northwestern region of Afrin to eradicate the area of terrorists belonging to the PKK/PYD.
PKK is “extorting money” from Manbij locals
“The PKK/PYD has started to collect a year’s worth of taxes in Manbij. They know they will withdraw from the region. That’s why they’re taking 100,000 Syrian pounds from everyone. We’re meeting with all tribe leaders and local council heads. The people of Manbij are in a tough situation because the PKK is extorting money,” al-Fahhel said.
Following Turkey’s successful Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations conducted in Syria, the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) have completed all preparations for a possible operation in the east of the Euphrates River to purge the region of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorists.The TAF will conduct a sweeping operation and increase Turkey’s maneuvering area in the region. It is being ascertained that the operation will begin from the Euphrates Shield region as Turkish soldiers enter the Sacu Brook and Ashme and sweep the terrorists. The first aim is to liberate areas between Manbij’s center and the Sacu Brook and the Euphrates. Later, a strategy will be drawn up for the east of the Euphrates.Erdoğan: Turkey to remain in Idlib, help people in needTurkey to 'do whatever is necessary' regarding Syria's Manbij: ErdoğanProceeding in Manbij within the context of the roadmap signed with USRegarding Manbij, Turkey will proceed with the U.S. within the context of the roadmap agreed upon between the two countries, which was expected to be completed within a 90-day calendar.The Manbij deal between Turkey and the U.S. was inked in June this year on the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from the city to stabilize the region, which is in the northeast of the Aleppo province in northern Syria.Soldiers from Turkey and the U.S. continue joint training on combined patrols in Manbij, northern Syria, the Turkish military said on Sunday.In the first stage, deploying soldiers to ensure that the area was cleared and secure it with the patrols is on the agenda.Turkey will soon destroy terror nests in eastern Euphrates, says ErdoğanTurkey, US train for joint patrols in Syria's ManbijWe could come suddenly overnight, says ErdoğanTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also emphasized his determination on the matter saying, “The terrorists outside our borders shouldn’t sleep soundly either, we could suddenly come overnight” for the east of the Euphrates. The president had used this phrase before the previous Euphrates Shield and Afrin operations as well.Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20, 2018 in Syria’s northwestern region of Afrin to eradicate the area of terrorists belonging to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)’s Syrian offshoot, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), following Turkey’s seven-month Euphrates Shield Operation which succeeded in clearing large swathes of Syrian territory from Daesh.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.
Turkish soldiers at the ready for possible op in east of Euphrates
Terror group demolishes homes of families who support Turkey
“The PKK demolished the homes of three people who support Turkey three days ago. The victims took refuge in the Jarabulus region. The public has been waiting for Turkey to come for a long time,” al-Fahhel said.
The PYD and its military YPG wing are Syrian branches of the PKK, which has waged war against Turkey for more than 30 years.
Soldiers from Turkey and the U.S. continue joint training on combined patrols in Manbij, northern Syria, the Turkish military said on Sunday. The Turkish Armed Forces shared on its Instagram account two pictures where Turkish and U.S. soldiers are seen together during training. Earlier this week, Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has announced the beginning of joint training."As of today the Turkish and U.S. Armed Forces began joint training on combined patrolling activities, which will be held in the region, as part of the Manbij Roadmap and Security Principles," Akar told Anadolu Agency. The Manbij deal between Turkey and the U.S. focuses on the withdrawal of terrorist YPG/PKK forces from the city to stabilize the region, which is in the northeast of the Aleppo province in northern Syria.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken 40,000 lives, including many women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.Turkey to 'do whatever is necessary' regarding Syria's Manbij: Erdoğan
Turkey, US train for joint patrols in Syria's Manbij