Manbij locals urge Turkish troops to save them from YPG

By Mohamad Misto and Adham Kako

ANKARA (AA) - Local residents in the northern Syrian city of Manbij have told Anadolu Agency they want Turkish troops to clear their land of YPG/PKK terrorism.

The Turkish military recently completed its eighth round of patrolling in the city.

Displaced by YPG/PKK terrorist group in Syria's north and in the west of River Euphrates, people of Manbij said they hope to return to their homes after Turkish troops took control of the strategic district.

Turkey and the U.S. have set a three-month timetable to complete tasks they agreed in a deal on Syria's Manbij, a Turkish government spokesman said in mid-June.

The Manbij deal focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the northern Syrian city and stability in the region.

Mahmoud al-Ajlani, a well-known tribe member in Manbij, told Anadolu Agency: "Hopefully our lands will be wiped off from terrorists PYD/PKK".

"With Turkey, trust and stability will come to Manbij. We will get rid of [YPG/PKK] cancer that ruled nearly half-a-million people by force," he said.

Al-Ajlani added that after PYD/PKK's defeat, the region will be ruled by civilian authorities, serving people and giving importance to education, health and building hospitals.

"Manbij will set an example for all of Syria," he said.

Ibrahim Hajji, a member of the Assembly of Syrian Tribes and Clans, said locals are waiting for Turkish troops to clear the area of terrorists.

"Peace and stability will come to our lands," al-Hacci said. "We will support civilian management in Manbij, as we had held meetings in Turkey with other locals."

The city has remained under the terror group's control since Daesh was driven out from the region in August 2016.