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The Turkish army on Wednesday conducted its 16th round of patrols in the northern Syrian city of Manbij as part of a deal with the U.S. to rid the area of terror group YPG/PKK.
In a written statement, Turkish General Staff said the forces of both countries coordinated patrols in the region between areas liberated by Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield and Manbij.
The first patrols by Turkish and U.S. troops in the region began on June 18.
A prominent Turkish business association announced on Tuesday that it aimed to open a new branch and a trade center in territories cleared of YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists in Syria.The new branch and trade center are aimed at boosting trade and prosperity for people in the region liberated from terrorists by Turkey’s Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations, according to the Independent Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (MUSIAD).Israel warns Syrians away from frontier as Assad closes in"We will open a Syrian branch as soon as possible as we intend to establish a bridge between businessmen in Syria and Turkey," said Ibrahim Uyar, the chairman of the foreign organizational development commission at MUSIAD.Uyar said the new branch would be opened after negotiations with the chamber of commerce and businesses in the region."Thanks to the trade center and the new office, our Syrian brothers will develop their trade relations, and through this trade the trust and stability will come again to the region," he added.Turkish army conducts 15th round of patrols in ManbijUyar also said activities in the region would significantly contribute to the Turkish economy, especially as people displaced from the region return home and the normalization process can begin.He emphasized that MUSIAD's priorities were to address the basic needs in food and textiles, and provide opportunities in the field of construction materials later on."MUSIAD has a very important, restorative and commercial position in terms of rehabilitation of this region," said Omer Faruk Akbal, the chairman of the domestic organizational development commission in MUSIAD.Since the liberation of the region from terrorists, Turkey has been supporting the normalization of the territory by supporting healthcare, education, and safety services.
Turkish business body to open branch in Syria
Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call on Monday and discussed the importance of implementing the joint roadmap in Syria's Manbij, Turkish presidency said in a statement.Under a deal reached between the United States and Turkey last month, the YPG terrorists would withdraw from Manbij and Turkish and U.S. forces would maintain security and stability around the town.Video: Aerial footage of Syria’s DaraaDuring Monday's phone call, the two leaders said the implementation of the Manbij deal would 'significantly contribute' to the solution of Syria problem, the statement said.It added that Erdoğan and Trump also repeated their determination to further improve bilateral ties in all areas.
Erdoğan, Trump emphasise importance of Manbij roadmap
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.
In 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 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.