Pentagon backs cease-fire resolution in Syria

By Safvan Allahverdi

WASHINGTON (AA) - The Pentagon on Tuesday said it would support the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution for a 30-day humanitarian cease-fire in Syria but continue operations against the Daesh terror group.

"[The Department of Defense] is going to support Department of States’ efforts to facilitate the UN-led effort to affect political solution to the conflict there," Pentagon spokesman Col. Rob Manning told reporters.

"But as far as the impact of the U.S. operations, we remain solely focused on defeating [Daesh] in Syria," Manning said, adding it is the reason for the U.S. presence in Syria.

In a response to similar question about the cease-fire resolution, he said prolonged attacks in the Syrian conflict increases the suffering of civilians and the Pentagon would support the State Department to achieve the necessary diplomatic aims.

The Security Council on Saturday adopted a resolution for a 30-day cease-fire in Syria "without delay".

It calls for the medical evacuation of 700 people, particularly in the besieged Damascus suburb of eastern Ghouta.

In the case of a cease-fire violation, the Pentagon would condemn the violation and take appropriate measures, Manning told Anadolu Agency without elaborating.

Spokesman Maj. Adrian Rankine-Galloway also told Anadolu Agency the Pentagon does not have a role in monitoring cease-fore violations and what is happening in conflict areas.

Turning to a question about the discussion between Washington and Ankara about Manbij, Manning also said the Pentagon recognizes Turkey is the only NATO ally with an active insurgency within its border and it respects the specific concerns of Turkey within the region.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists from Afrin, Syria.

According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as protect Syrians from oppression and cruelty of terrorists.

Turkey also pledges to launch a military operation against YPG/PKK in the strategically important city on Manbij that lies west of the Euphrates River in northern Syria, as part of Operation Olive Branch.

Manbij lies northeast of Aleppo but just south of the Turkish border.

Washington has voiced concerns about the safety of U.S. troops in Manbij amid Turkey's operation in northeastern Syria. There are about 2,000 American soldiers in Manbij.

*Anadolu Agency Correspondent Kasim Ileri at the Pentagon contributed this report.