{"id":30814,"date":"2018-03-22T14:24:20","date_gmt":"2018-03-22T14:24:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/03\/22\/us-forces-remain-in-manbij-despite-threats-from-turkey\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T02:36:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T02:36:17","slug":"us-forces-remain-in-manbij-despite-threats-from-turkey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/flashpoints\/2018\/03\/22\/us-forces-remain-in-manbij-despite-threats-from-turkey\/","title":{"rendered":"US forces remain in Manbij, despite threats from Turkey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">U.S. troops remain in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/flashpoints\/2018\/01\/25\/turkey-sets-sights-on-syrian-region-where-us-forces-operate\/\" title=\"\" class=\"\" target=\"_blank\">Manbij, Syria,<\/a> despite tense relations between the United States and Turkey.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Monday, Turkey\u2019s president, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/flashpoints\/2018\/03\/20\/turkish-leader-vows-wider-offensive-against-kurdish-militia\/\" title=\"\" class=\"\" target=\"_blank\">Recep Tayyip Erdogan<\/a>, reveled in his forces\u2019 capture of<a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/flashpoints\/2018\/03\/18\/turkey-says-its-forces-have-seized-the-syrian-town-of-afrin\/\" title=\"\" class=\"\" target=\"_blank\"> Afrin, Syria<\/a>. He said that they now intend to shift their campaign to other areas under the control of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2017\/06\/23\/turkish-military-buildup-in-northern-syria-threatens-raqqa-operation\/\" title=\"\" class=\"\" target=\"_blank\">Kurdish militia groups<\/a>, including Manbij, \u201cuntil this terror corridor is fully eliminated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Manbij is a known location of U.S. forces, roughly 60 miles east of Afrin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An official with Combined Joint Task Force &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/flashpoints\/2018\/03\/05\/pentagon-operations-against-isis-in-eastern-syria-paused\/\" title=\"\" class=\"\" target=\"_blank\">Operation Inherent Resolve<\/a> told Military Times that as NATO allies, U.S. and Turkish military officials are in \u201cregular communication.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDiscussions are also taking place at the diplomatic level, which will ultimately decide the future of the region,\u201d the official added.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/flashpoints\/2018\/03\/12\/us-considering-permanent-cutbacks-at-incirlik-air-base-in-turkey\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635857837249217955-tns-turkeyjpg.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">US considering permanent cutbacks at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">Friction between the United States and Turkey may be manifesting in scaled back operations from the strategic Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When asked whether the U.S. and coalition forces in Manbij could be expected to hold their own against a possible Turkish incursion into the area, the official would only say that the mission there \u201cinvolves force protection measures that ensure the safety of our troops.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe level of force protection is commensurate to the threat,\u201d the official added.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s not the first time Turkey has threatened U.S. troops in Manbij, but Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu claimed Wednesday that this time they have reached an \u201cunderstanding\u201d with the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"689\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP18031474542281.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-59138\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP18031474542281.jpg.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP18031474542281.jpg.jpg?resize=300,202 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP18031474542281.jpg.jpg?resize=768,517 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In this Jan. 28, 2018, file photo, pro-Turkey Syrian fighters and Turkish troops secure the Bursayah hill, which separates the Kurdish-held enclave of Afrin from the Turkey-controlled town of Azaz, Syria. (AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe said we reached an understanding, which is mainly that Syria\u2019s Manbij and the east of the Euphrates be stabilized,\u201d Cavusoglu said Wednesday at a news conference in Ankara, Turkey, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-mideast-crisis-syria-turkey-usa\/turkey-says-understanding-but-no-deal-with-u-s-on-syrias-manbij-idUSKBN1GX1DW\" title=\"\" class=\"\" target=\"_blank\">Reuters<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Turkish officials want the Kurdish Peoples&#8217; Protection Units, also known as the YPG, considered by Turkey to be a terrorist group, to withdraw from Manbij.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFirst, the YPG will leave and the people of Manbij will govern it. The security of the area will be ensured. We will apply the Manbij model to other areas controlled by the YPG as well,\u201d Cavusoglu said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The problem may come down to semantics for Turkey, as YPG fighters make up a significant portion of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, and other local militia units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The reason there are U.S. forces in Manbij at all is to maintain a relationship with the Manbij Military Council (MMC) \u2014 a mix of Arab and Kurdish fighters \u2014 which was created to defend Manbij from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, the Inherent Resolve official told Military Times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP_18038615136380.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-59142\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP_18038615136380.jpg.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP_18038615136380.jpg.jpg?resize=300,157 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP_18038615136380.jpg.jpg?resize=768,402 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP_18038615136380.jpg.jpg?resize=1024,536 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk speaks to the Associated Press at an American outpost in the northern Kurdish town of Manbij, Syria, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018. The top U.S. general in the coalition fighting the Islamic State group pledged American troops would remain in the town despite Ankara&#8217;s demands for a U.S. pullout. (Susannah George\/AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe MMC is a primarily Arab force made up of Manbij locals,\u201d the official said. \u201cIt is aligned with the Syrian Democratic Forces and took responsibility for the defense of Manbij after the [Syrian Democratic Forces] liberated the area from [ISIS] on Aug. 15, 2016.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Throughout the summer of 2016, coalition forces trained, advised and accompanied the MMC in their liberation of Manbij. Since then, the council has been charged with maintaining security in the region alongside the coalition, \u201cwhich provides training and equipment to the MMC,\u201d the official said.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2018\/03\/09\/us-airstrikes-drop-by-half-after-kurds-depart-anti-isis-fight\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tabqa-sdf-ypg.jpg_6b145f.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">US airstrikes in Syria drop by half as Kurds depart anti-ISIS fight<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">As Kurdish fighters have departed the frontlines in the battle against the Islamic State, American airstrikes in eastern Syria have decreased sharply.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhile we maintain lines of communication with the Civil Administration of Manbij and Manbij Internal Security Forces, we do not have a formal relationship with these entities,\u201d the official said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether or not the Manbij Military Council, and other governing entities in the region, will satisfy Turkey\u2019s wishes to remove YPG elements from its shared border with Turkey is still up in the air. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Until then, the Inherent Resolve official said that they \u201cwill continue our partnership with the Syrian Democratic Forces to achieve a lasting defeat of [ISIS] and stabilize liberated territory. This will allow displaced Syrians and refugees to return and ensure [ISIS] does not return as an insurgency.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Turkish officials are threatening to seize control of the Syrian town of Manbij, where U.S. troops continue to support anti-ISIS operations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":59133,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":13,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":[]},"categories":[101,13,16,26,67],"tags":[],"coauthors":[3277],"class_list":["post-30814","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-daily-news-roundup","category-flashpoints","category-news","category-newsletters","category-your-air-force"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"KLO45DINSZHZTCPK77FMZDT6G4","arc_canonical_url":"\/flashpoints\/2018\/03\/22\/us-forces-remain-in-manbij-despite-threats-from-turkey\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented 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threatening to seize control of the Syrian town of Manbij, where U.S. troops continue to support anti-ISIS operations.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/flashpoints\/2018\/03\/22\/us-forces-remain-in-manbij-despite-threats-from-turkey\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Air Force TImes\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-03-22T14:24:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-08T02:36:17+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Kyle Rempfer\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Kyle Rempfer\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\n\t    \"@context\": 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