US-Turkey, Allies or “Former Allies”? Ankara Orders Washington to ‘Immediately Withdraw’ from Manbij
NOVANEWS
By: The New Arab
Turkey has urged the US to “immediately withdraw” from Manbij in northern Syria, Saturday, sparking expectations that Turkish forces will imminently attack the town as part of its “Olive Branch” offensive against Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) militia.
Hours earlier, Ankara claimed the US pledged to stop arming the YPG, amid strained ties between the two allies during Turkey’s offensive in Kurdish northern Syria.
“It’s necessary for them [US] to immediately withdraw from Manbij,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said.
The Turkish presidency announced earlier on Saturday that Washington would “not give weapons to the YPG” militia, relaying a phonecall on Friday evening between US National Security Advisor HR McMaster told Turkish pre...