Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said on Wednesday that Turkey will carry out an operation against Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorists in northern Iraq’s Qandil region.
Addressing crowds during a campaign stop for the upcoming June 24 elections, Yıldırım said that Turkey will clear the region from terrorists, pointing to the success of the Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations.
“We will collapse it over their heads, we vowed to do that,” Yıldırıım said in reference to northern Iraq’s Qandil region.
Turkish Armed Forces on Wednesday began a second round of patrolling in the northern Syrian city of Manbij as part of the objective to rid the area of the YPG/PKK terror group.According to an Anadolu Agency correspondent on the ground, armored vehicles belonging to the Turkish military entered near the Sacu river, which separates the Jarabulus region from Manbij.The U.S. forces on the ground are also simultaneously conducting patrols across Manbij's northern Dadat district.Video: Turkish Armed Forces start second patrol in Syria’s ManbijManbij roadmap’s route revealedThe first patrols by both Turkish and U.S. troops in the region began on June 18.The Manbij deal, which was made between Turkey and the U.S., focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the northern Syrian city in order to stabilize in the region.The agreement was first announced after a meeting in Washington earlier in June between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.Largest tribe in Manbij back Turkish patrol forcesShould the model prove to be a success, Turkey will push for a similar arrangement in eastern Syria.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken some 40,000 lives. The YPG/PKK is its Syrian branch.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 terroristsArabs account for more than 90 percent of the local population in Manbij.
Turkish army begins second round of 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. Video: Joint Turkey-US patrol forces enter Syria's ManbijThe 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.Largest tribe in Manbij back Turkish patrol forcesThe 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 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.Manbij roadmap shows Turkey’s diplomatic strength: BozdağFirst phase of Turkey-US Manbij roadmap becomes clear'Manbij deal would not exist without Olive Branch op'
Manbij roadmap’s route revealed
Northern Iraq’s Qandil Mountains have been a haven for PKK terrorists over the past few decades. Considered as the main base of the PKK, which control checkpoints and entrances to the mountains, the structuring in the area is used for cover and concealment by terrorists.
Listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU, the PKK has waged a wide-ranging terror campaign against the Turkish state since the mid-1980s, in which an estimated 40,000 people have been killed.