“There is a PKK threat in Sinjar (Shingal), across the border in northern Iraq against Turkey,” Mattis told reporters at the Pentagon, adding that the U.S. wants the PKK to pull out of the area, Hurriyet daily reported.

Mattis said he preferred direct communication with Turkish authorities instead of through the media because it is “a very sensitive issue for Turks,” referring to PKK militants.

On March 25, Iraqi troops were deployed in Shingal after members of the PKK withdrew from the district a day earlier.

Additionally, Mattis said there has been no move against Manbij by Turkish forces so far, adding that dialogue continues with Ankara in a response to a question about Turkey’s possible military operations against Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) militants in Manbij.

“We have open dialogue with the Turkish government right now,” he said..

“We are working it forward. We are not stuck on anything right now. So far, as you have noticed, there has been no move on Manbij,” said Mattis.

Reporter’s code: 50101