Manbij

Following Ankara's announcement of an upcoming military incursion in northern Syria, the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army has deployed some 5,000 armed men in the region to act with the Turkish army to clear Tal Rifaat and Manbij provinces of PKK/YPG terrorists.

"We can take Tal Rifaat in 24 hours with Turkish soldiers," SNA commanders said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Turkey will address its security concerns in northern Syria with new operations against the YPG group, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on June 5.

"We will address security concerns with new operations," the president said, addressing his ruling Justice and Development Party's 30th Consultation and Assessment meeting.

Turkey and the United States recently took an important step in the right direction by endorsing the road map for Syria's Manbij province that will lead to the withdrawal of the People's Protection Units (YPG) at a meeting between Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington. 

The Turkish and U.S. foreign ministers are expected to outline a road map for Syria's Manbij province when they meet in Washington on June 4, with Turkey pushing for the withdrawal of the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). 

Diplomats from Turkey and the United States held talks in Ankara on May 25 to discuss joint efforts to coordinate their actions in Syria, particularly in the Manbij province, a Turkish diplomat said.

Diplomats from Turkey and the United States are holding talks in Ankara to discuss joint efforts to coordinate their actions in Syria, particularly in the Manbij province, a Turkish diplomat said.