The spokesman of the ministry made the remarks after Pentagon Spokesperson Adrian Galloway said Ankara and Washington were in contact over the issue, Hurriyet daily reported.

“The claim voiced by the Pentagon spokesperson yesterday [on Feb. 26], stating that the U.S. and Turkey have been carrying out diplomatic talks about options to relieve tension in Syria’s Afrin region, is not right,” Hami Aksoy told reporters in Ankara on Feb. 27.

Aksoy’s statement came after Galloway said in a briefing on February 25 that Turkey and the U.S. have been carrying out talks “in order to focus on the fight against the Islamic State (IS).”

“It will be remembered that U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson announced during his visit to Turkey on February 15 and 16 that there will be a mechanism built for tackling Syria-related problems between two countries, and the priority will be given to Manbij,” Aksoy also added.

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