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The Turkish military on Tuesday conducted its 19th 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 written statement, the Turkish General Staff said 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 total of 43 terrorists including a so-called senior figure were neutralized as part of anti-terror operations on Turkish soil and in northern Iraq over the past week, the military said on Friday.Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply that the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.In a weekly statement, Turkish General Staff said the counter-terrorism raids were carried out in eastern Sirnak, Mardin, Erzurum and Bingol provinces as well as in northern Iraq regions from July 13-19.Daesh terrorists protected by US in Syria's northSome 39 infantry rifles, 1 machine gun, an RPG rocket launcher, 6 guns and an AT-4 missile, 26.3 kilograms (58 pounds) of explosives and 3 improvised explosives were destroyed.During the operations, one soldiers was martyred and two others were injured, the statement said.The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015.Claims that Turkey will control central Syria emergeSince then, it has been responsible for the deaths of more than 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians, including many women and children.Separately, the military said since the launch of Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Syria’s Afrin region, a total of 4,545 terrorists have been neutralized.On Jan. 20 Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to remove YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin. On March 18, Turkish troops and the Free Syrian Army liberated the Afrin district center.US encouraging its allies to focus on PKK terror groupAccording to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as to protect Syrians from terrorist oppression and cruelty.The statement also said Turkish and the U.S. army had conducted 16 separate coordinated patrols in the area between the Operation Euphrates Shield region and Manbij since June 18, when the first patrols by Turkish and U.S. troops in the region began.Training for joint Turkey-US patrol to start: USTurkish jets destroy PKK terror targets in N Iraq
Turkish army neutralizes 43 terrorists over past week
The head of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Thursday said training for a joint Turkish-American patrol on the frontline of the northern Syrian city of Manbij will soon start."As part of the diplomatic road map, we will soon begin the necessary training to conduct joint combined patrols along portions of the demarcation line in this extremely complex environment," said Gen. Joseph Votel, referring to the Manbij roadmap.Video: Training for joint Turkey-US patrol to start: USThe roadmap which was announced last month after a meeting between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and his U.S. counterpart Mike Pompeo, focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from Manbij and stability in the region.The Turkish army on Wednesday conducted its 16th round of patrols in the city as part of the deal with the U.S.Turkish army conducts 16th round of patrols in ManbijIn a written statement, the Turkish General Staff announced forces from both countries coordinated patrols in the region between areas liberated by Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield and Manbij. The first patrols began June 18.Giving details via a teleconference call to reporters at the Pentagon, Votel said the U.S. continues coordinated patrols with Turkey to ensure long-term stability in the city and to implement a diplomatically agreed arrangement that addresses mutual security interests.Turkish airstrikes ‘neutralize’ five terroristsReports of PYD/YPG withdrawal from Manbij dismissedIn a response to a question whether he was advised about any U.S.-Russian agreements and cooperation on Syria as a result of a summit this week between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Votel said CENTCOM had not received new guidance as a result of what happened in Finland.He noted that current laws prohibit coordinating, synchronizing and collaborating with Russian forces – a move that needs approval from Congress."I have not asked for that at this point," he noted, adding that the U.S. continues communication and deconfliction with Russian commanders to ensure safety of American troops and compliance with U.S. international obligations.Turning to Iran’s presence in Syria, Votel said the U.S. does not have a mission that is directly focused on Iran and the only intention the U.S. has right now is to defeat Daesh.When asked whether CENTCOM supports the rapprochement between the YPG/PKK which uses the name of SDF, and the Syrian regime, he said the U.S. does not encourage the group to engage with the regime."But, of course, we do recognize the pragmatic reality that plays out on the ground. That is a fact of life in this particular area," he added.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 PYD/YPG 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.
Training for joint Turkey-US patrol to start: US
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 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.