Turkey expected the international community to contribute to the political process in Syria, Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said in a news conference.

Manbij had long been a sticking point in American-Turkish relations, due to the presence of the People’s Protection Units (YPG).

The YPG are seen as valuable and effective allies by the US in its fight against Islamic State militants in the east of Syria.

Turkey threatened to push its offensive in the Afrin region of northern Syria further east to Manbij, risking confrontation with US and European troops stationed in the area.

The Turkish and US governments signed a “roadmap” in June to plan for the future of the strategic town, which includes joint patrols between the NATO allies. French forces are also present in the area.

The agreement also mandated the withdrawal of the YPG from Manbij, which was completed in July.

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