ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The YPG has pulled its military advisors out of Manbij, the force’s command said in a statement announcing the completion of their mission to advise, support, and train local forces.
"In the framework of a general strategy of the YPG to combat terrorism, we received an invitation from the Manbij Military Council to carry out a military operation to liberate the city of Manbij from the grip of ISIS in the first quarter of 2016,” the Kurdish force described their mission in the northern Syrian city.
“Based on this call and understanding with international forces including Turkey our forces started working with the international forces and launched the liberating operation in June 2016," the statement continued.
The city was liberated in August that year by the YPG with the support of the US-led international coalition.
“After liberating the city and restoring order and peace our forces handed over affairs of the city to the military council,” the YPG stated.
The Manbij Military Council was formed with the backing of the YPG to oversee the liberation and provision of security in the city.
Some YPG advisors remained in Manbij, at the request of the council, to provide support, the statement added.
“We stress to the public opinion and the people of Manbij that our sacrifices there were part of our duty to liberate them from ISIS, which posed a threat to the whole of humanity. And we did our duty," the YPG stated at the conclusion of their mission.
The announcement comes on the second anniversary of the death of YPG hero Abu Leyla who was killed in Manbij and hot on the heels of an agreement between the US and Turkey over the future of the city.
Ankara considers the YPG a branch of the PKK, a named terror organization, and US support for the Kurdish forces has nearly brought the NATO allies into conflict.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday announced they had “endorsed a Road Map” to ensure stability and security in Manbij.
According to Cavusoglu, the plan will take place over three stages and will be concluded within six months.
The first stage is withdrawal of the Kurdish forces.
The YPG's statement makes no mention of the US-Turkey deal.
Updated at 10:33 p.m.
"In the framework of a general strategy of the YPG to combat terrorism, we received an invitation from the Manbij Military Council to carry out a military operation to liberate the city of Manbij from the grip of ISIS in the first quarter of 2016,” the Kurdish force described their mission in the northern Syrian city.
“Based on this call and understanding with international forces including Turkey our forces started working with the international forces and launched the liberating operation in June 2016," the statement continued.
The city was liberated in August that year by the YPG with the support of the US-led international coalition.
“After liberating the city and restoring order and peace our forces handed over affairs of the city to the military council,” the YPG stated.
The Manbij Military Council was formed with the backing of the YPG to oversee the liberation and provision of security in the city.
Some YPG advisors remained in Manbij, at the request of the council, to provide support, the statement added.
“We stress to the public opinion and the people of Manbij that our sacrifices there were part of our duty to liberate them from ISIS, which posed a threat to the whole of humanity. And we did our duty," the YPG stated at the conclusion of their mission.
Nouri Mahmoud, a spokesperson for the YPG confirmed to Rudaw TV Tuesday evening that “our consultants will withdraw from Manbij.”
However, that does not mean that all the YPG's heavy weapons will also be withdrawn.
"YPG forces in Manbij are mostly for consulting. The YPG artillery in Manbij belongs to Manbij Military Council."
Ankara considers the YPG a branch of the PKK, a named terror organization, and US support for the Kurdish forces has nearly brought the NATO allies into conflict.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday announced they had “endorsed a Road Map” to ensure stability and security in Manbij.
According to Cavusoglu, the plan will take place over three stages and will be concluded within six months.
The first stage is withdrawal of the Kurdish forces.
The YPG's statement makes no mention of the US-Turkey deal.
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