By Levent Tok, Omer Koparan and Selen Temizer
MANBIJ, Syria (AA) – The U.S. has yet to fulfill its promises given to Turkey about Manbij, Syria, with the YPG/PKK terror group surrounding the district center with trenches and embankments.
After Turkey and the U.S. agreed this June to a roadmap agreement for removal of the YPG/PKK terror organization from Manbij, the terror group has to the contrary stepped up its presence and activities in the area, according to Anadolu Agency reporting.
The terrorist group has completed the construction of trenches and embankments in areas surrounding the entire city center as if it has no intention of leaving.
Highlighting problems with the agreement, Turkish presidential aide Ibrahim Kalin said on Wednesday: “Delaying tactics started becoming a growing problem. The Manbij roadmap should be implemented as soon as possible. ”
The terror organization formed embankments at various depths in front of trenches to make up a series of lines stretching nearly 30 kilometers (18.06 miles).
The trenches can be clearly seen from the sky in satellite photos taken by Anadolu Agency.
The YPG/PKK terrorists also built tunnels linking trenches to use during possible combat.
The terror group, using the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) label, organizes “defense of Manbij ” meetings under the terror leadership from the PKK headquarters in Mt. Qandil, Iraq.
– Buildup next to areas liberated by Turkey
The YPG is the Syrian branch of the terrorist PKK, whose 30-year terror campaign in Turkey has taken some 40,000 lives.
Senior PKK/YPG terrorists train newly joined members of the terror group who escaped from Afrin — liberated by Turkish-led forces this March — to Manbij with U.S. support under the SDF umbrella.
Turkey has long objected to U.S. support for the YPG/PKK.
While the U.S. recognizes the PKK as a terrorist group, it has claimed the YPG is a “reliable ally” in the fight against Daesh, ignoring Turkey’s evidence that it is actually a PKK branch.
The YPG/PKK terror group is also in the midst of a military buildup along Manbij's border with areas liberated by Turkey’s Operation Euphrates Shield in 2016-2017.
The Turkish army first started patrolling on June 18 in Manbij with U.S. troops in line with a previously agreed roadmap for eliminating terrorists and stabilizing the area. So far the two armies have done 55 patrols in the region.
The Manbij roadmap was first announced after a meeting in Washington between Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The deal focuses on the withdrawal of PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the northern Syrian city and stability in the region.
Turkey has said the presence of terrorist forces near its border constitute a threat, and has launched military operations and other efforts to rid the region of terrorists.
U.S. military support for the YPG/PKK terrorist group in Manbij has strained ties between Ankara and Washington and has led to fears of military clashes between the two NATO allies, since there are roughly 2,000 U.S. troops in the city.
