- 16.11.2024, Saturday
- 02:58
File photo
Turkish and US forces, meanwhile, continue to conduct joint patrols in strategic 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Although some observers have claimed that the YPG/PKK has entirely withdrawn from Manbij, indications suggest that the group still maintains an active presence in the city.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.
Sunday’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
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#Manbij
#Syria
#YPG/PKK
