Turkey calls on US to fulfill Manbij, Syria roadmap

By Sarp Ozer

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey on Tuesday called on the U.S. to fulfill their roadmap for Manbij, Syria and remove the terrorist PKK/PYD from the region as soon as possible, according to Turkish Defense Ministry.

At a meeting between Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and U.S. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford in the capital Ankara, with the attendance of Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Guler, participants discussed taking back weapons from the terrorist PKK/PYD, and the fight against terrorist groups, including Daesh, said the ministry in a statement.

During the meeting, Akar reiterated that Turkey is determined to take any measures needed for its border security and regional stability.

Akar also said the Turkish Armed Forces are fighting against the terrorist groups PKK/PYD/YPG and Daesh, not its Kurdish brothers in the region.

He added that Turkey has always respected the territorial integrity of both Syria and Iraq.

The Manbij deal between Turkey and the U.S. focuses on the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from the city to stabilize the region, which is in the northeast of northern Syria's Aleppo province.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the death of some 40,000 people, including many women and children. The PYD/YPG is its Syrian branch.