Turkey, US training for joint patrols in Manbij, Syria

ANKARA

Turkish and U.S. soldiers on Oct. 9 are beginning joint training on combined patrols in Manbij, northern Syria, Turkey’s national defense minister has announced.

"As of today the Turkish and U.S. Armed Forces began joint training on combined patrolling activities, which will be held in the region, as part of the Manbij Roadmap and Security Principles," Hulusi Akar told the state-run Anadolu Agency on Oct. 9.

Underscoring that the first group of U.S. personnel arrived in Gaziantep, southeastern Turkey on Oct. 2 for training, Akar said: "Following the completion of training, common united patrolling activities will begin in an effort to establish stability and security in the region and to prevent terrorist activities in the future."

Turkey's independent patrolling in Manbij has been "continuing as planned" since June 18, he added.

Citing recent reports of the YPG/PKK surrounding the Manbij district center with trenches and embankments, Akar said: "We have given the necessary warnings to U.S. authorities regarding the matter but have also taken our own measures."

"The terror group must know that when the time and place comes it will be buried in the trenches it has dug," he warned.