File photo:Turkish army completes 20th round of patrols in the northern Syrian city of Manbij
Turkish and the U.S. armed forces on Thursday completed their 20th round of patrols 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 both countries' forces conducted separate coordinated patrols in the region between areas liberated by Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield and Manbij.
Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorists have been launching organized attacks against the Turkish Armed Forces in the regions within the scope of the Olive Branch and Euphrates Shield operations. The Syrian towns of Nubbol and Zahraa are controlled by Iran-backed Shia militias and are located in northern Syria, near Tell Rifaat. PKK terrorists have built three headquarters in these areas where more than 50,000 civilians live, the majority of whom are Shiite.Speaking to Yeni Şafak daily, Syrian commander of the Liwa al-Fatih opposition group, Abu Yahya Qalandar, said that PKK terrorists dressed themselves as Syrian refugees to infiltrate Afrin by using the Ziadiyah-Maryamin route.Stressing the route and tactics of the terrorists, Qalandar stated that PKK terrorists who come from Ayn al-Arab, Ayn Issa and Qamishli first stationed themselves in Manbij and then went to the towns of Nubbol and Zahra to plan attacks where Iran-backed Shia militias have actively have been training them in terror and bomb attacks.They set up a special force to launch attacks “The PKK terror organization set up a special force to launch attacks after its big failure in Afrin. The force dubbed as “Kuvvet-i Hassa” solely focuses on terror attacks and consists of 350 terrorists. Ten of these terrorists are from the YPJ, the PKK’s all-female force, and their headquarters is in the in Kafr Naya region.” “They also have two more headquarters in the towns of Nubbol and Zahra. Iran-backed Shia militias, who are currently protecting PKK terrorists, have also actively supported them against Turkey in Operation Olive Branch. Fifty-five Shia militias who backed PKK terrorists were killed during Turkish airstrikes in Jindaris and Meydanki,” he said. On Jan. 20 Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to remove YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin. On March 18, Turkish troops and Free Syrian Army members liberated its city center, on the 58th day of the operation. Demining and sweeping activities are ongoing in the region. “The terrorist codenamed ‘Brush Hakesi’ from the Qandil cadre was charged with administrating and planning attacks on Afrin in April. This terrorists are trained by the Syrian intelligence to produce improvised explosive devices (IED), as well as infiltration and designing bomb-laden vehicles. The decisions of attack plans, designated areas, targets and timing have been taken at the PKK’s headquarters in Nubbol and Zahra,” added Qalandar.Over 70 attacks against Turkish army PKK terrorists have conducted more than 70 attacks and killed a total of 290 civilians in Syria’s northwestern Afrin, which was cleared from terror elements by the Turkish army and Free Syrian Army (FSA). Including Daesh terrorists, the PKK has been plotting attacks by laying mines on the transition routes of convoys, by using bomb-laden trucks in city centers or suicide bombers. “Their primary aim is to target the Turkish army, however they couldn’t get what they wanted so far. On the other hand, unfortunately 14 members of Free Syrian Army lost their lives in the terror attacks,” Qalandar concluded. In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken some 40,000 lives, including many women and children. The YPG/PKK is its Syrian branch.
PKK uses Shia majority towns in Syria to attack Turkish army in Afrin
Three PKK terrorists have been “neutralized” during separate operations in southeastern Turkey and northern Iraq, the military announced Tuesday.Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.In a statement, the Turkish General Staff said the terrorists were neutralized Monday in northern Iraq’s Kani Rash regions and in the Lice district of southeastern Diyarbakir.Turkish army conducts 19th round of patrols in ManbijTurkish soldier succumbs to wounds after PKK attack
Three PKK neutralized in southeast Turkey, northern Iraq
The first patrols by 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.
The YPG/PKK terrorist group is reportedly in talks with Syria’s Assad regime on the proposed transfer of the northern city of Manbij to the latter, with both parties planning to provide local security. Although some observers have claimed that the YPG/PKK has entirely withdrawn from Manbij, indications suggest that the group still maintains an active presence in the city.While the terrorist group and the Assad regime appear to be stepping up their partnership, Turkish and U.S. forces have continued to conduct joint patrols in the region as part of a deal aimed at purging the area of the YPG/PKK presence. According to information obtained by Anadolu Agency correspondents based in the region, the “military council” of the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) -- a regional proxy for the PKK terrorist group -- and Assad regime officials are holding regular talks over Manbij’s political fate. Earlier this month, regime officials and YPG/PKK representatives from northeastern Iraq’s Qandil Mountain region held talks in Aleppo.On Sunday, both sides reportedly met once again -- in the same city -- to discuss the same issue.Turkish NGOs bring peace, aid to Syria’s AfrinThird convoy of evacuees from Quneitra arrives in IdlibSunday’s meeting in Aleppo was reportedly attended by Syrian Baath Party officials Fadel Jabbar, Abdullah Hussein and Ahmad Gabhan. The YPG/PKK, for its part, was represented at the meeting by Mohamed Karidi (commander of the group’s “Manbij military council”), Ibrahim Bennawi, Mohamed Guweyshi and Shukri al-Awni. According to sources close to the meeting, attendees discussed means of opposing Turkish military intervention in northern Syria and the anticipated return of regime forces to Manbij.The Assad regime and the YPG/PKK have reportedly agreed to form a joint “police force” to secure the area composed of pro-regime tribesmen and YPG/PKK terrorists. On Sunday, the group’s “military council” reiterated its refusal -- via social media -- to relinquish control of Manbij to the Turkish Armed Forces, asserting its preference for handing the city over to the Damascus regime. - Turkey/US patrols Since June 18, Turkish and U.S. forces have been conducting joint security patrols of the region. The patrols come as part of a Turkish-U.S. agreement aimed at stabilizing Manbij and securing the YPG/PKK’s withdrawal from the area.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- of which the YPG is the Syrian branch -- has claimed some 40,000 lives, including women and children.Should the Manbij model prove successful, Turkey will push for a similar arrangement in eastern Syria. Ankara says the presence of terrorist groups near its border constitutes a clear and present threat and has launched a series of military operations with the stated aim of clearing the region of terrorist elements.In August 2016, U.S.-backed YPG/PKK terrorists established a foothold in Aleppo's Manbij district on the pretext of fighting the Daesh terrorist group. According to estimates, ethnic Arabs account for more than 90 percent of Manbij’s population.Syria has only just begun to emerge from a devastating conflict that began in 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on demonstrators with unexpected ferocity.*Ali Murat Alhas contributed to this report from Ankara
YPG/PKK terrorists, Syrian regime collaborate on Manbij
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken some 40,000 lives, including many women and children. The YPG/PKK is its Syrian branch.
Should the Manbij model prove a success, Turkey will push for a similar arrangement in eastern Syria.
Turkey has said the presence of terror forces near its border constitutes a threat and has launched military operations and other efforts to rid the region of terrorists.