Turkish army does 8th round of patrols in Manbij, Syria

Turkey’s military chief visits troops on Syria border

Turkish military chief Gen. Hulusi Akar on Friday visited military brigades stationed on the border with Syria.Akar was accompanied by Land Forces Commander Yasar Guler, Air Forces Commander Hasan Kucukakyuz, and Naval Forces Commander Adnan Ozbal, according to Anadolu Agency correspondents in the area.The military chief inspected the troops in the southern province of Kilis.According to a statement issued by the Turkish army after the inspection, Akar said efforts are ongoing to make YPG/PKK terrorists leave the northern Syrian city of Manbij and to collect arms under a deal reached between Ankara and Washington.The Manbij deal focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the city in order to stabilize the region.Under the deal, Turkish and U.S. troops conduct patrols in the area -- six patrols to date.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.On Turkey’s 12 observation points in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province set up in coordination with Russia and Iran, Akar said they help provide trust and stability in the region.He added that all Turkey's cross-border operations are being conducted in line with international law and with respect for the territorial integrity of Syria and Iran.On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists from Afrin, northwestern Syria.According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as protect Syrians from terrorist cruelty and oppression.

Turkish army conducts 6th round of patrols in Manbij

Turkish military on Thursday completed their sixth 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.According to an Anadolu Agency correspondent on the ground, armored vehicles belonging to the Turkish military carried out patrols around the Sacu river, which separates the Jarabulus region from Manbij.Turkey's independent patrolling mission was carried out in coordination with the U.S. army.We support the Turkish army’s entry into Manbij: northern Syria localsThe first patrols by both Turkish and U.S. troops in the region began on June 18.The Manbij deal, which was made between Turkey and the U.S., focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the northern Syrian 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.US, Turkey can have 'more productive’ talk: PompeoShould 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 chief, NATO general discuss Manbij roadmap

We support Turkish army’s entry into Manbij: northern Syria locals

Arab tribes in Syria's northern Jarabulus district, which was liberated last year by Turkey’s Operation Euphrates Shield, have voiced support for Turkish efforts to purge the entire region of the YPG/PKK terrorist presence.In a joint statement issued Thursday, they said: “Just as Turkey drove the Daesh terrorist group from Operation Euphrates Shield’s area-of-operations and provided the local people with stability, we support the [Turkish army’s] entry into Manbij.”“The people of Manbij look forward to enjoying better living conditions and liberation from the YPG/PYD terror group,” the statement added.The tribes go on to note that the region’s Arab, Turkmen, Kurdish and Circassian inhabitants had “lived in peace” before YPG/PKK terrorists established a foothold in the area.Backed by the U.S, the YPG/PKK terrorist group occupied Aleppo's Manbij district in August of 2016 on the pretext that it was fighting Daesh.Earlier this month, a roadmap for securing the region was unveiled following a June 4 meeting in Washington between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Cavuşoğlu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.The deal explicitly calls for the immediate withdrawal of the PKK-linked YPG terrorist group from Manbij.On Sunday, the Turkish General Staff announced that the Turkish and U.S. militaries had -- in line with the roadmap -- conducted separate patrols in the zone between Operation Euphrates Shield’s area-of-operations and Manbij.Turkish army chief, NATO general discuss Manbij roadmapIn its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has claimed some 40,000 lives, including those of numerous women and children. The YPG/PKK is the group’s Syrian affiliate.Ankara says that the presence of terrorist groups near its border constitutes a clear and present danger and remains engaged in military operations aimed at purging the region of the terrorist presence.*Ali Murat Alhas contributed to this report from Ankara