US, Turkish forces will start joint training for Manbij ‘very soon’

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The United States revealed that the start of training for joint US-Turkish patrols in Manbij is imminent.

“I would say within 72 hours actually. Very soon, could be sooner,” US Secretary of Defense Mattis told journalists on Thursday, Voice of America has reported.

He added that US training gear, equipment, and training officers are in Turkey.

The two NATO allies are currently conducting “coordinated but independent" around the northern Syrian city.

The US-led international coalition backed the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in a 2016 campaign to take the city from ISIS. The SDF is primarily composed of the Peoples' Protection Units (YPG). Turkey objected to an SDF or YPG presence there, claiming they are Syrian extensions of the PKK.

The city's security is now in the hands of the Manbij Military Council.

Washington and Ankara reached an agreement on a plan for Manbij on June 4.

The spokesperson for the coalition, US Army Col. Sean Ryan said in June that the details of the agreement were still being negotiated, but Turkish forces will not enter the city. 

Several sources have told Rudaw that Turkish forces are to patrol outside of the city, but within the Sajur, or Euphrates Shield, border.  

The training comes at a time when diplomatic relations have been strained by US sanctions and tariffs against Ankara and inflammatory rhetoric by US President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart, whose government has issued retaliatory sanctions on several American products.

US Department of Defense and Department of State officials have repeatedly said they will stay in northern Syria.