Turkish and U.S. forces have been conducting independent patrols in Manbij, but have been training in preparation to carry out joint patrols
Turkey and the United States will begin joint patrols in the northern Syrian Manbij area soon after training is completed within the next couple of days, Defence Minister Hulusi Akar told state-owned Anadolu news agency on Wednesday.
As agreed by the NATO allies in June, Turkish and U.S. forces have been carrying out patrols in Manbij independent of each other, but have been training in preparation to carry out joint patrols.
Turkey will take the necessary measures if a decision is taken contrary to its rights and interests in the Aegean Sea, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said.
"We are in favor of settling matters through peace and negotiations, without it turning into a close conflict in any way," Akar said, speaking at Anadolu Agency’s Editors’ Desk.
Ankara will not tolerate any Greek fait-accompli in the Eastern Mediterranean, he added.
Akar’s remarks came after Turkey summoned Greek Ambassador in Ankara Petros Mavroidis to the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.
The move came after recent remarks by Nikos Kotzias, who recently resigned as Greek foreign minister.
Kotzias has said that Greece was ready to extend its territorial waters from six miles to 12 miles in the Ionian Sea.
Turkey will not allow Greece to interfere in its activities in the eastern Mediterranean, Akar remarked, after Ankara said last week a Greek frigate had harassed a Turkish energy exploration ship in the region.
"Turkey will never allow another harassment to any Turkish ship in Eastern Mediterranean," Akar said.
Akar said no project was possible in the eastern Mediterranean without the involvement of Turkey and northern Cyprus.
