20 June 2018•Update: 20 June 2018
SANLIURFA, Turkey
People from Manbij, Syria living just across the border in southeastern Turkey expressed approval of Turkish forces taking up patrols in the city under a new deal to rid the region of terrorists and provide stability.
The refugees living in Sanliurfa are very happy, as their hopes to return were revived by the Turkish army patrols in the northern city.
Hasan Suleyman, who took shelter in Turkey with his five family members after Manbij fell to the Daesh terrorist group, told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday that they were delighted to see the patrols after this year's Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr.
Emphasizing that Manbij is in a critical region between Aleppo and Raqqah, Suleyman said that people will return once the Turkish army ensures security.
YPG/PKK terrorists are using Raqqah as their headquarters and a base to control other occupied areas.
Raqqah, a former Daesh stronghold, was captured by the YPG/PKK last October with air support from the U.S.
"Turkish patrols in Manbij mean the city will be a safe haven for a great many Syrians. A large number of people from Syria can seek refuge in Manbij. Manbij is centrally located. Turkmen, Arabs, Kurds and Circassians lived together there," he said.
Another refugee, Ferdi Mahmut. said that he believes the Turkish army will proceed steadily to Manbij and that its residents are supporting Turkish soldiers.
"Now all paths to Manbij are clear. Hopefully the Turkish army will enter there. People living there were delighted," Mahmut said, adding that Turkish patrols in Manbij are very important to help its residents throw off the cruelty of the terrorist YPG/PKK.
"Hopefully there will be peace in Manbij as soon as possible. We have hopes," he added.
'A beautiful life'
Mustafa Halil, another refugee, said, "Hopefully trade in Manbij will grow greatly. People will have peace and a beautiful life. People will be better financially. We have seen it in [Turkey’s previous] Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch. Hopefully we will see this continue."
Turkish and U.S. forces began patrols in Manbij on Monday in line with a previously agreed roadmap for eliminating terrorists.
The roadmap was first announced after a June 3 meeting in Washington between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut 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.
Should the model prove to be a success, Turkey will push for a similar arrangement in eastern Syria.
In its over-30-year terrorist campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken some 40,000 lives. The YPG/PKK is its Syrian branch.
Reporting by Rauf Maltas:Writing by Can Erozden
