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Turkey has deployed additional units to its border with Syria, the Şanlıurfa Brigade Command, which will guard the historical Suleyman Shah tomb and be in charge of returning it to its previous location in Manbij’s Qara Qozak.
The brigade will also be tasked with ensuring security in Manbij.
In 2015, the Turkish military relocated the tomb of Süleyman Shah, the grandfather of the Ottoman Empire’s founder, from Syria’s Qara Qozak 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.
Following the region’s invasion by the PKK, the U.S. had set up three separate bases in Qara Qozak, which were established shortly after Turkey relocated the tomb to the Ashme village to protect it from terror threats.
Turkish forces will firstly purge the region from terrorists and start by taking control of the Tishrin Dam in order to transport the tomb. The Şanlıurfa Brigade Command that undertakes the operation will provide security for Manbij locals once the area is cleared of terrorists.
The Turkish military on Wednesday completed its ninth round of patrolling in the northern Syrian city of Manbij as part of a deal with the U.S. to rid the area of the terror group YPG/PKK.In a message posted on its official Twitter account, the Turkish General Staff said that both countries' forces conducted separate coordinated patrols in the area between the Operation Euphrates Shield region and Manbij.The first patrols by both Turkish and U.S. troops in the region began on June 18.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.Syrians of Manbij look to Turkey to guarantee stabilityPKK terrorists kidnap 17 Syrian families over Erdoğan pictureIn its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken some 40,000 lives, including those of women and children. The YPG/PKK is its Syrian branch.Should the Manbij 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.
Turkish army conducts 9th round of patrols in Manbij
The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) have accelerated the deployment of military reinforcements to Syria’s Manbij region, which the army is preparing to clear from terror elements. As part of the deal struck between Ankara and Washington, the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the northern Syrian city is due to begin on Wednesday.If the terrorists do not start to withdraw from Manbij, Turkish troops will increase the pressure. The decision to increase military reinforcements was made following a visit by Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar to military brigades stationed on the border with Syria.The number of armored vehicles that have been dispatched around the Saju-Dadad region over the past 24 hours has exceeded 30. Communication and logistic equipment are also being dispatched.Manbij locals urge Turkish troops to save them from YPGU.S. seeking to slow down Manbij dealMohamad Sermini, who recently visited Manbij on behalf of the Syrian opposition, shared the latest developments with Yeni Şafak daily.“The Manbij Local Council is slowing down political and military steps. The U.S. is seeking to slow down this process. The locals will not accept a project for safety and security unless Turkey is involved,” Sermini said.“Turkey will not compromise on its stance for a Manbij without the PKK”“The expectations of the locals are high because Turkey is in the region. The possible operation will not resemble Operation Euphrates Shield. The parties agreed on a project based on co-management, but the problem of the existence of the PKK in this management model hasn’t been overcome as of yet. Turkey's stance on this issue is very clear. Turkey prepared a list of those who will be in the military and local government councils. The U.S. is acting slowly regarding its actualization. Problems may arise in the upcoming period regarding this list, because Turkey will not compromise on its stance for a Manbij without the PKK,” Sermini said.Manbij locals trust Turkey“First the Daesh and then the PKK occupation tired the locals of Manbij. They trust Turkey the most regarding their future. They do not want a puppet assembly. They want an infrastructure that reflects their own wills and is composed of locals. PKK ‘flags,’ posters and so forth were taken down across the region. The U.S. is trying to persuade the PKK to quietly withdraw from the region. Everyone is aware that the period is critical. It may take time for the PKK members identified by Turkey to withdraw from councils,” he added.U.S. Senators pledge support to terror groups in ManbijFollowing the Manbij deal struck between Ankara and Washington, U.S. officials visited the city. Following a visit by Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) General Joseph Votel, a delegation of senators met with Manbij Local Council dominated by the PKK’s Qandil cadre.Senior Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator Jeanne Shaheen paid a visit to the northern Syrian town of Manbij.“I will tell President [Donald] Trump it’s important that we stay here to help you. You’re friends of the United States and if we leave, it will be terrible,” Graham said during his visit on Monday.Video: Turkey and United States agree on Manbij roadmapLocals want Turkey’s involvement“Turkey has become a safe haven for thousands of Manbij locals after the presence of Daesh and the PKK in the region. Any option without Turkey’s involvement does not promise stability,” Sermini concluded.Displaced by the YPG/PKK terrorist group in Syria's north and in the west of River Euphrates, the people of Manbij said that they hope to return to their homes after Turkish troops took control of the strategic city.Turkey and the U.S. have set a three-month timetable to complete the tasks they agreed in a deal on Syria's Manbij, a Turkish government spokesman said in mid-June.Turkish army does 8th round of patrols in Manbij, SyriaThe Manbij deal focuses on the withdrawal of the YPG terror group from the northern Syrian city and stability in the region. Manbij has remained under the terror group's control since Daesh was driven from the region in August 2016.The PYD and its military YPG wing are Syrian branches of the PKK, which has waged war against Turkey for more than 30 years.Syrians of Manbij look to Turkey to guarantee stabilityUS uses new base in Syria’s north to arm PKK
Turkey sends further reinforcements to clear Manbij of terror groups
Local residents in the northern Syrian city of Manbij have told Anadolu Agency they want Turkish troops to clear their land of YPG/PKK terrorism.The Turkish military recently completed its eighth round of patrolling in the city.Displaced by YPG/PKK terrorist group in Syria's north and in the west of River Euphrates, people of Manbij said they hope to return to their homes after Turkish troops took control of the strategic district.Turkey and the U.S. have set a three-month timetable to complete tasks they agreed in a deal on Syria's Manbij, a Turkish government spokesman said in mid-June.The Manbij deal focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the northern Syrian city and stability in the region.Mahmoud al-Ajlani, a well-known tribe member in Manbij, told Anadolu Agency: "Hopefully our lands will be wiped off from terrorists PYD/PKK"."With Turkey, trust and stability will come to Manbij. We will get rid of [YPG/PKK] cancer that ruled nearly half-a-million people by force," he said.Al-Ajlani added that after PYD/PKK's defeat, the region will be ruled by civilian authorities, serving people and giving importance to education, health and building hospitals."Manbij will set an example for all of Syria," he said.Ibrahim Hajji, a member of the Assembly of Syrian Tribes and Clans, said locals are waiting for Turkish troops to clear the area of terrorists."Peace and stability will come to our lands," al-Hacci said. "We will support civilian management in Manbij, as we had held meetings in Turkey with other locals."The city has remained under the terror group's control since Daesh was driven out from the region in August 2016.
Manbij locals urge Turkish troops to save them from YPG
The Turkish military on Wednesday completed its ninth round of patrolling 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.
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.