'Manbij deal would not exist without Olive Branch op'

By Nazli Yuzbasioglu

ANKARA (AA) - The Syrian Turkmen Assembly (STA) Monday welcomed the Manbij roadmap devised by Turkey and the U.S., saying that the deal would not have been reached if Turkey had not launched Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin.

STA leader Mohamed Wajih Joma told Anadolu Agency that the Manbij deal would not only clear the region from terrorism but also "help us return our country and it will perhaps constitute a first step of the political settlement in Syria", he added.

Joma's words came after Turkish-U.S. forces began patrols earlier Monday in Syria's Manbij in line with a previously agreed roadmap for eliminating terrorists.

"The Manbij deal would not exist without Operation Olive Branch. The U.S, the side supporting the PYD/PKK, kneeled before Turkey's political will and this deal was reached," he added.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to remove YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists from northwestern Syria's Afrin region. On March 18, Day 58 of the operation, Turkish troops, and Free Syrian Army members liberated the town of Afrin.

The existence of a roadmap was first announced after a meeting in Washington earlier this month between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Turkey has said the presence of terrorist forces near its border constitutes a threat, and has launched military operations and other efforts to rid the region of terrorists.

The deal focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the northern Syrian city in order to stabilize in the region.

Should the model prove to be a success, Turkey will push for a similar arrangement in eastern Syria.

In its over-30-year terrorist campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken some 40,000 lives. The YPG/PKK is its Syrian branch.