Tomb of Süleyman Shah in Syria
The tomb of Süleyman Shah is set to return to its original resting place following the withdrawal of terrorists from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)’s Syria affiliate, the YPG, as part of the agreement reached between Turkey and the U.S. in Washington regarding the PKK-occupied city of Manbij.
In 2015, the Turkish military relocated the tomb of Süleyman Shah, the grandfather of the Ottoman Empire’s founder, from Syria’s Qara Qozaq region in Manbij to the Ashme village of Aleppo, which is located near Turkey’s border, to protect it from the threats posed by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and Daesh terror groups.
According to the framework of the Manbij agreement, 11 observation points will be established in the region, six of which are to be manned by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF), while the remaining five will be overseen by the U.S. army.
A strategic police force that is set to be formed in the city will put an end to the brutal occupation of Manbij and pave the way for services such as education, health and judiciary to be established again.
All remnants of the PKK occupation of the city are also set to be removed and, according to reports, a new council will be founded and be made up of Arabs and Turkmens.
All officials who assumed duties in Manbij during the PKK-occupation will be discharged.
After the regions of Horoz, Abu Galgal, Suleim, Tishreen, Sirrin and Qaraqozaq are cleared of terrorist elements, the tomb of Süleyman Shah will be moved back to its former location.
So-called senior members of the PKK from across Syria gathered yesterday in Tishreen and met with American officials to discuss the new phase, and according to reports, a collapse in morale was evident among them.
Turkey's deputy prime minister and government spokesman on Wednesday said that Turkey had carried out counterterrorism operations in Iraq’s Qandil and would continue to conduct such cross-border operations as necessary to protect its national security and eliminate terror threats.“Operations in northern Iraq did not start today, we have had troops there for a long time and operations are ongoing. Qandil is a terror nest. The Turkish army has conducted extensive operations targeting Qandil before. Operations will continue when necessary,” Bekir Bozdağ said.“Turkey is continuing its struggle against the PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party] in a resolute manner. We must continue this struggle 365 days a year. Our offense policy has delivered a great blow to terror. As of today, the terrorist organization has lost its ability to conduct planned terror activities. We have carried out a successful fight against terror everywhere,” he added.US deploys Daesh terorrists in SyriaAirstrikes on PKK targets in northern Iraq, where the terror group has its main base in the Mt. Qandil region, near the Iranian border, have been carried out regularly since July 2015, when the PKK resumed its armed campaign.“There is a period that leads to a terror state through a corridor on Turkey’s borders. We ended this period with Operation Euphrates Shield. We cleared the region of Daesh and PKK terrorists. Following this, we eliminated YPG [People’s Protection Units], PKK and Daesh terrorists with Operation Olive Branch. If the steps Turkey expects are not taken in the region, then we will do it ourselves,” Bozdağ said.“The east of the Euphrates will be cleared of PKK terrorists. Of course we prioritize that a political solution is reached [in Syria] but if these [terror elements] are not cleared, Turkey has the right to protect its national security. Turkey has the right to eliminate terror threats,” he added.In its 30-year-plus terrorist campaign against Turkey, the PKK has been responsible for some 40,000 deaths.Turkish airstrikes in N.Iraq kill six PKK terroristsThe timetable reached with the U.S. for ridding terrorists and establishing stability in Manbij, Syria is very clear," Bozdağ saıd. "There is a very clear timetable. Ninety days of it were planned clearly, what and when will be done, all were designated," Bozdağ said.The roadmap on Manbij was announced after a meeting in Washington on Monday 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.Bozdağ said not only Manbij but also the area east of the Euphrates River will also be cleared of YPG/PKK."Of course, we prioritize [reaching] a solution east of the Euphrates with a political agreement like in Manbij," he added.
Turkey’s cross-border operations to continue as necessary, says Deputy PM
The head of NATO on Wednesday said he welcomed a Turkish-U.S. agreement on a roadmap for Manbij, Syria.Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's comment came during a press conference ahead of a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels.The roadmap on Manbij was announced on Monday in Washington after a meeting between 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.Manbij roadmap must include regions east of Euphrates in SyriaJoint roadmap for Manbij is for stabilization: USUS presence in Manbij 'subject to political discussion'
NATO chief welcomes Turkey-US roadmap on Manbij, Syria
A new “name game”
Speaking to Yeni Şafak daily, Syria Turkmen Council head Wajeeh Jumaa pointed that several members of the military and local council founded by the PKK in Manbij were senior members of the terror organization.
“Members of the organization, such as Jameel Mazlum and Sherwan Darwish, among other high-ranking PKK terrorists, who assumed duties in the Manbij council, were brought from numerous regions such as Qamishli and Ayn al-Arab. In the upcoming phase, these figures along with organizations linked to the PKK will be cleared out.”
After the PKK announced it was withdrawing from Manbij following Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu’s summit on Tuesday in Washington, the terror group declared that it would hand over power to the Manbij council, which was formed by the PKK in 2016, pointed Jumaa, noting that it was an obvious ploy and a delay tactic.
The United States, which delivered a 24,000-square-kilometer area to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) by dividing Syria, has once again resorted to using the Daesh terror group. Despite the Pentagon’s statement saying that Daesh had been defeated in 2017, the terrorists in Hasakah and Deir Ezzor have entered the field once more.Daesh captured al-Didye village on the Hasakah-Shaddadi line as well as the Baguz village in the Deir Ezzor countryside. Retired Brigadier İhsan Başbozkurt evaluated field developments in an exclusive interview with Yeni Şafak.Daesh terrorists are employed by the U.S.“To bring Daesh back on the scene is a sly and dirty move by the U.S. in response to Turkey’s resolute stance on Qandil and Manbij. The mission assigned to Daesh between 2013 and 2017 was to form the pretext for occupation; now it is to legitimize the terror map which is shaping in the occupied areas,” Başbozkurt said.US presence in Manbij 'subject to political discussion'Officials have hinted at a possible Turkish operation in Iraq’s Qandil, which is considered as the main base of the PKK terror group.“Daesh terrorists who are gathered from almost every region of Syria are employed by U.S. military and intelligence agencies. How could Daesh suddenly emerge and take control of areas controlled by U.S. troops and the PKK? What we have seen very clearly in the Syrian process is that terrorist organizations are the only element that the U.S. has embraced in order to actualize the occupation map designed for the region,” the retired brigadier added.Daesh attacks used as sabotage“Turkey has overcome the majority of the terror line in northern Iraq. The logistical connection between their [PKK] headquarters in Qandil and Turkey has been severed. The period that started with Afrin has advanced to Manbij and both the Syrian people and Turkey are working to eliminate the PKK. These factors have pushed the U.S. to take action,” Başbozkurt said.Weapons that were supplied to terrorists from the PKK/YPG will be taken back as they withdraw from the city within the scope of the Manbij roadmap agreement between the U.S. and Turkey, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Tuesday.Manbij roadmap must include regions east of Euphrates in Syria“The pawns they [U.S.] train at various bases are released on the field when they see it as appropriate. Daesh attacks were designed to sabotage the Ayn Issa, Manbij, Raqqa, Tell Abayd and Qandil period and give the PKK a break. The U.S.-Israel-Europe-Gulf alliance, which has made extraordinary efforts to keep Raqqa controlled by the PKK, is trying everything for this purpose. This is why the Arab Force project is being formed. We must give extraordinary importance to Raqqa and pay attention to it,” he added.Same game to be actualized in IraqBrigadier Başbozkurt said the U.S. was openly protecting Daesh in Iraq and Syria, adding that the group was active across various points in these countries. There is a risk that Daesh may also take the stage in Iraq, he added.“Nobody should doubt that if Iraq does not elect a government that serves the Israel-U.S. plan, many Iraqi cities – including Mosul and Kirkuk – will again be plagued by Daesh,” Başbozkurt said.In 2016, U.S. President Donald Trump had stated that former U.S. leader Barack Obama founded Daesh. “He's the founder of ISIS [Daesh]. I would say the co-founder would be crooked Hillary Clinton,” said Trump.Joint roadmap for Manbij is for stabilization: USClash erupts between PKK, Hashd al-Shaabi in Iraq
US deploys Daesh terorrists in Syria
“Members of the pirate council that was mentioned by the terror group’s statement is made up completely by PKK affiliates. The PKK’s goal is again simply to remain in Manbij under U.S. protection through rebranding,” Jumaa concluded.
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.
As terrorists from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)’s Syrian affiliate, the YPG, begin withdrawing from the northern city of Manbij, the details of the roadmap brokered between Turkey and the U.S. continue to unfold. According to military sources, the agreement must be extended to include regions east of the Euphrates River, such as Horozköy, the Karakozak 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.Weapons that were supplied to terrorists from the PKK/YPG will be taken back as they withdraw from the city within the scope of the Manbij roadmap agreement between the U.S. and Turkey, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Tuesday.Erdoğan vows to eradicate terrorism 'completely'Invaders to be withdrawnAccording to the approved roadmap, all attempts by the PKK/PYD to alter the demographic make-up in the city will be foiled. In the context of the agreement reached between the U.S. and Turkey, families that were brought to Manbij will return to their own regions following the withdrawal of the PKK from the city. The status quo in Manbij, which was predominantly Arab, is set to return to what it was prior to the arrival of PKK terrorists in the city, thanks to a Turkey- U.S. agreement similar to the one that was previously brokered between Turkey, Iran and Russia to ensure security in the northwestern city of Idlib. Observation points will also be established in Manbij and its vicinity as part of the approved roadmap, which includes the withdrawal of 3rd parties, in addition to PKK terrorists, including French soldiers that are also present in the city. With the establishment of observation points, security will be ensured together with the local administration and the to-be-formed police force. While Turkey will never accept the presence of PKK or any similar groups in Manbij, the U.S. does not look too kindly on the Free Syrian Army (FSA) either. The U.S. wants to form a police force in Manbij that is formed of Arabs within the ranks of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is a front for the PKK, however, Turkey wants to make sure that the to-be-established force will be completely made up of local elements.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.Joint roadmap for Manbij is for stabilization: USUS presence in Manbij 'subject to political discussion'
Manbij roadmap must include regions east of Euphrates in Syria
The U.S. presence in the Syrian city of Manbij is now subject to "political discussion and policy determination", an anti-Daesh coalition spokesperson said on Tuesday while referring to a roadmap drawn up by Ankara and Washington to stabilize the city.Speaking through video conference, CJTF-Operation Inherent Resolve Public Affairs Director Col. Thomas Veale said: "Coalition troops have been there for quite some time and they are conducting security operations."They are not forward presence. This is not like the Korean Demilitarized Zone...Future of that mission, again, that's subject to political discussion and policy determination."Noting that there there has not been any operational changes in Manbij, Veale said the coalition is a conditions-based organization which accords with conditions on the ground.Many U.S. officials, including head of CJTF-Operation Inherent Resolve Paul E. Funk, have repeatedly said the U.S. will not withdraw from Manbij.However, Veale's remark came a day after Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and his American counterpart Mike Pompeo met and affirmed that a joint Manbij-focused roadmap shows a drastic shift over its policy on Manbij.Stating that the results of the roadmap drawn up by the two countries have yet to be understood, Veale noted that the U.S. acknowledges the valid security concern of Turkey, which is a coalition member and a valued NATO partner."So working closely with them through these discussions is exactly the right approach to this issue," he added.Emphasizing that the purpose of the roadmap is to clear Manbij from terrorists and ensure the security and stability of the city, Cavusoglu said the roadmap would be implemented in three stages, which would focus on the removal of YPG/PKK forces from Manbij, the removal of YPG/PKK affiliated individuals from local governing organizations, and establishing joint U.S.-Turkish patrols and a new local governing administration based on the local population.It is important that much of the Manbij Military Council is made up of local Arabs and it will remain as it is and cooperate with Turks so that Turks will be more comfortable in the process of making long-term adjustments, the officials added.Clash erupts between PKK, Hashd al-Shaabi in IraqErdoğan vows to eradicate terrorism 'completely'If the Manbij issue gets resolved, it would address part of a major issue dividing Ankara and Washington. Turkey has for long objected to U.S. support for the terrorist PYD/PKK, the target of Turkey’s recent Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, Syria.About claims the U.S. has also deployed troops near Sinjar in northern Iraq, Veale refuted the claims, saying that the military convoy just passed through the region on its way to Syria.About his response to Turkey's military operations against the PKK terrorist organization in northern Iraq, Veale noted the operations have been conducted in a close cooperation with Iraqi government.The YPG/PKK and PYD/PKK are Syrian offshoots of the PKK terror group, which has taken some 40,000 lives in its 30-year terrorist campaign against the Turkish state, including those of women and children.
US presence in Manbij 'subject to political discussion'
Turkey remains determined to eradicate terrorism “completely”, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Tuesday.Speaking at a campaign rally for ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party in northwestern Zonguldak province, Erdogan said: “We are determined to erase terror completely from the agenda of this country.“We do not expect terrorism to turn up on our doors; we are going to the source of terrorism before it comes to us.”The president said Turkey’s anti-terror operations over the past two years had weakened terror groups.Hundreds of terrorists inside and outside of Turkey’s borders had "ceased to be a threat," he added.The Turkish president also said that after the Afrin operation, Turkey continued to take “necessary steps to defeat other terrorist swamps”.On March 18, Turkish-backed troops liberated the town center of Afrin in northern Syria, which had been a major hideout for the YPG/PKK terror group since 2012.The operation was part of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch which was launched in January to clear terrorist groups from the area. After liberating the city of Afrin, Ankara said it might also extend its operation further east to Manbij, unless the YPG/PKK terrorist group leaves the strategically located city.Turkish minister: PKK damaged over 70,000 houses in SEYPG terrorists to be disarmed, withdraw from Manbij: FM ÇavuşoğluTerrorists to 'pay price'Erdoğan added the successful anti-terror operations were all conducted despite opposition from Republican People’s Party and its leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, and its presidential candidate Muharrem Ince.“We will let all terrorists who are responsible -- especially their ringleaders -- pay the price for murdering the children of this nation over the past 34 years,” he said.“If needed we will go to Sinjar and do what is necessary,” he added.In late 2015, Peshmerga forces captured Iraq's Sinjar from the Daesh terrorist group, which had overrun the district a year earlier.However, PKK elements have also remained in Sinjar since 2014 on the pretext of fighting Daesh.Erdogan, for his part, has repeatedly said Turkey would not allow Sinjar to become a PKK stronghold.In its more than 30-year terrorist campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the death of nearly 40,000 people.More than 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians, including women and children, have been killed since July 2015 alone, when the terror group resumed its armed campaign against Turkey.
Erdoğan vows to eradicate terrorism 'completely'