5 October 2018 - 20:59

Kurdish YPG forces refuse to quit Manbij

<p style="text-align: left;">The Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) did not withdraw from the northern Syrian town of Manbij, as was ordered by Turkey and the United States, and are preparing to defend the town, the Anadolu news agency reported on Friday.

The YPG militia dug about 30 kilometers of anti-tank trench lines around the town's center and built escape tunnels, the Turkish media reported citing sources.

Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said earlier this week that the United States was delaying the YPG withdrawal from Manbij, thereby failing to implement Washington's joint plan with Ankara.

In early June, Turkey and the United States adopted a roadmap that provided for the withdrawal of the US-backed YPG, which is regarded by Ankara as an affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), from Manbij.

Meanwhile, the Syrian authorities have condemned the presence of Turkish and US forces around Manbij.

Reporter’s code: 50101

News Code 25106