Diyar Güldoğan
12 October 2018•Update: 12 October 2018
By Diyar Guldogan
ANKARA
Turkey will "do whatever is necessary" regarding Syria's northern city of Manbij, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday.
"They [the U.S.] promised us. They said: 'We will leave here in 90 days'. They did not leave. Whatever is necessary will be done," Erdogan said during an inauguration ceremony in central Isparta province.
After Turkey and the U.S. agreed on Manbij deal that focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terrorist group from the city in order to stabilize the region, the terror group has to the contrary stepped up its presence and activities in the area.
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.
Erdogan gave the green light to a possible operation in Manbij, saying: "Now, they are digging trenches in Manbij. What does that mean? 'We dug our graves, come and bury us.' We will also get in there."
Turkey pledges to launch a military operation against YPG/PKK in the strategically important city on Manbij that lies west of the Euphrates River in northern Syria, as part of Operation Olive Branch. Manbij lies northeast of Aleppo but just south of the Turkish border.
Erdogan added Turkish security forces "cause great distress" to terrorist organizations in difficult geographies.
The president also said there is no room for terrorists in Turkey's future.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken 40,000 lives, including many women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.
