Turkish Presidential Spokesman Says Patrolling With US To Start In Manbij Soon - Reports

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st September, 2018) Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said Friday that the Turkish and US forces would begin joint training and patrolling activities in the Syrian Manbij soon, local media reported.

The Yeni Safak newspaper reported that Kalin also said that Turkey expected the Manbij roadmap to be implemented as planned.

In June, Ankara and Washington adopted a road map that provided for the withdrawal of the US-backed the People's Protection Units (YPG) Kurdish militia, which is regarded by Ankara as the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) affiliate, from the city of Manbij in northern Syria.

"The Manbij roadmap is an important deal. We will stick to this and will do what is necessary. But, simultaneously, the U.S. administration continuing to engage with the YPG and PYD is a source of serious concern to us," Kalin said.

On June 4, the US Department of State said Cavusoglu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had endorsed a road map to ensure stability in Manbij. Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag later said that the sides had agreed on a schedule for the YPG withdrawal.