Turkish military, US army to start training in Syria’s Manbij

Turkish military and the US army are expected to start training for joint patrols in the northern Syrian city of Manbij soon, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Saturday, according to AA. 

In a statement posted on the Ministry of Defense website, Akar said Turkish and US armed forces were continuing activities as planned to provide security and stability in the region  in accordance with the Manbij roadmap. 

"Joint training between both countries’ armed forces for patrol activities is expected to start soon," Akar said. 

Akar’s remarks came after the US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said training for a joint Turkish-American patrol in the northern Syrian city of Manbij will start "shortly". 

Training for the combined patrols is starting shortly in Turkey. The gear is in. The officers are in...and it will start shortly," the Department of Defense quoted Mattis as saying in a statement Thursday. 

The Manbij deal between Turkey and the US focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the city in order to stabilize the region.