Turkish forces are seen in a convoy on a main highway between Damascus and Aleppo on August 29, 2018. (AFP)
Turkey’s Defense Minister, Hulusi Akar, said on March 3 that his country has finished preparations to hit targets in Syria’s Manbij, where U.S. forces are deployed.
“We have made our preparations for east of the Euphrates and will do what is necessary when the time comes. Let there be no doubt that we will not endanger our country in any case,” the Anadolu Agency quoted Akar as saying.
The northern city of Manbij is controlled by the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Turkey views the group as a threat to its national security as it includes many elements of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) and even the Kurdistan’s Walkers Party (PKK).
Akar stressed that Turkey will not accept what he called a “terrorist corridor” in northern Syria. The minister also said that Turkish soldiers should be deployed in the region.
“Turkish army will not endanger our country in any case,” Akar added.
Last month, Akar visited Washington and held a series of talks on the situation in northern Syria with his counterparts there. Later, he announced that Turkey and the U.S. will resume working on the roadmap for Manbij.
The roadmap, which was reached last year, should force the Kurdish forces to withdraw from Manbij and replace the local administration with one loyal to Ankara. However, Washington is yet to comply with the plan.
