“We are staying here to fend off any danger against the city,” said US CENCTOM commander, Joseph Votel, according to ANHA news.
Accompanied by members of the Manbij Military Council (MMC), Votel walked around the city, visiting the town’s bazaar and the city’s administration building, holding a meeting with local officials.
The US delegation also included Under Secretary of Defense for Policy John Rood, coalition commander Gen. Paul E. Funk, and coalition special operations commander Maj. Gen. Jamie Jarrard.
The visit comes a few days after the start of coordinated patrols by Turkish and American forces near Manbij as part of the roadmap agreed by Washington and Ankara.
The American delegation stressed to the MMC that the Turkish patrols will remain in areas controlled by Euphrates Shield forces – Syrian militias west of the Euphrates River.
“The patrols aim at preventing violations and direct clashes between the Manbij Military Council and the mercenaries of the Turkish occupation,” said MMC commander Mohammed Abu Adil, ANHA reported.
In video, Adil could be seen telling Votel that Manbij is more secure than the Euphrates Shield areas: “Compared to neighboring areas like Jarabulus, al-Bab, Azaz, and Afrin, the area that has stability and security is the city of Manbij.”
Manbij has become a flashpoint between the US and Turkey, who has demanded that the Kurdish YPG forces must leave the area.
The MMC led operations to liberate Manbij from ISIS in 2016 alongside the YPG-led SDF.
Turkey considers the YPG a branch of the PKK and has threatened to fight the Kurdish force across Rojava, northern Syria.
Related: Manbij Military Council keeps close watch on Turkish patrols
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