Turkish, US forces conduct 2nd joint patrols in Manbij

ANKARA

Turkish and U.S. troops on Nov. 8 conducted their second round of joint patrols in the northern Syrian city of Manbij, as part of a deal to rid the area of the YPG/PKK militants, Turkey’s national defense minister announced.

Turkish and U.S. troops patrolled around the Saju Stream, which separates the Manbij frontline from the city of Jarabulus, an area falling under Turkey’s Operation Euphrates Shield, according to state-run Anadolu Agency reporters on the ground.

Turkish and U.S. troops began joints patrols on Nov. 1.

Since June 18, the Turkish Armed Forces have carried out 68 unilateral patrols in Manbij.

The Manbij deal between Turkey and the U.S. focuses on the withdrawal of YPG/PKK militants from the city to stabilize the region, which is in the northeast of northern Syria’s Aleppo province.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union.

Operation Euphrates Shield, which began in August 2016 and ended in March 2017, aimed to eliminate the threat along the border in the northern Syrian regions of Jarabulus, Al-Rai, Al-Bab, and Azaz with the use of the Free Syrian Army, backed by Turkish artillery and air cover.