Syrian Democratic Forces military councils

Turkey's military operation in northern Syria continued for a sixth day Oct. 14 as Turkish forces took control of the strategic M4 highway, which connects the Syrian districts of Manbij and Qamishli.

This combined image shows Turkish and U.S. troops while patrolling near Manbij in separate missions

Turkish and U.S. troops on Aug. 1 completed their 23rd round of patrols in the northern Syrian city of Manbij as part of the roadmap.

Turkish military vehicles are seen near Manbij, Syria, in this handout picture released by Turkish military on June 18, 2018.

On the ground in Syria, the top U.S. general in the coalition fighting the Islamic State group pledged on Feb. 7 that American troops would remain in the northern Syrian town of Manbij despite Ankara’s demands for a U.S. pullout.

The United States has increased its forces near the northern Syrian town of Manbij as concerns have grown that fighting could erupt among the complex array of militias and Syrian and Turkish troops who are operating on the crowded battlefield near there.

Syrian regime forces will take over Manbij, which has been under the control of Syrian Kurdish forces since its liberation from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) jihadists, Russia stated on March 3, amid repeated calls from Turkey for Kurdish forces to leave the town. 

Statements from Ankara regarding developments in Syria suggest that things are moving in a direction that Turkey wants. Take the operation against al-Bab in northern Syria for example. The head of the military recently announced that it has been completed and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has been defeated. 

The Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) will withdraw from northern Syrian town of Manbij towards the east of the Euphrates River, as Turkey has long demanded, the United States and the YPG both vowed on Nov. 16.