Manbij Military Council keeps close watch on Turkish patrols
MANBIJ, Syria – Manbij Military Council (MMC) fighters are closely watching Turkish patrols across the Sajur River that serves as a demarcation line between them.
“The Turkish patrol came to this area yesterday. They remained there for about an hour at their most forward positions. Then they returned. There are no new bases or positions at all,” said Hussein al-Rayis of the MMC.
Under an agreement between the US and Turkey, forces of the two nations are conducting independent patrols.
US officials have said that Turkey will not enter the city of Manbij.
“Manbij Military Council is in control of all the area, and so this will just be basically along the northern demarcation line is where the conflict will take to it," coalition spokesperson US Army Col. Sean Ryan told journalists on Tuesday.
An MMC commander, however, says they haven't been able to get a promise from the international coalition concerning the fate of the town.
“The coalition has discussed the guarantees it talks about with us. There are press statements only to calm the situation on the part of the international coalition,” said deputy MMC head Abu Ali Najim.
The details of the US-Turkey plan for Manbij have not been publicly released.
For now, a tense quiet prevails over the contested city.
“The Turkish patrol came to this area yesterday. They remained there for about an hour at their most forward positions. Then they returned. There are no new bases or positions at all,” said Hussein al-Rayis of the MMC.
Under an agreement between the US and Turkey, forces of the two nations are conducting independent patrols.
US officials have said that Turkey will not enter the city of Manbij.
“Manbij Military Council is in control of all the area, and so this will just be basically along the northern demarcation line is where the conflict will take to it," coalition spokesperson US Army Col. Sean Ryan told journalists on Tuesday.
An MMC commander, however, says they haven't been able to get a promise from the international coalition concerning the fate of the town.
“The coalition has discussed the guarantees it talks about with us. There are press statements only to calm the situation on the part of the international coalition,” said deputy MMC head Abu Ali Najim.
The details of the US-Turkey plan for Manbij have not been publicly released.
For now, a tense quiet prevails over the contested city.