Turkey is pushing for the withdrawal of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is dominated by the Kurds People’s Protection Units (YPG), from Manbij and has vowed to retake the town and other Kurdish-held territory along the Turkish border by force, according to the Associated Press.

Hami Aksoy, the spokesman, said ministry officials discussed Manbij's status with U.S. State Department officials on Friday, May 25.

He said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and U.S. State Secretary Mike Pompeo would meet in Washington on June 4 to discuss the issue and other topics.

Reporter’s code: 50101