Syrian gov't forces enter Manbij as Kurds seek help

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The Syrian army entered the key northern town of Manbij for the first time in six years on Friday, a spokesman said in a televised statement.

The announcement came moments after Syria's Kurdish YPG militia, left exposed by a U.S. pledge to pull out its own troops, urged the government of President Bashar al-Assad to protect the town from a threatened Turkish offensive.

The government forces raised the Syrian Republic flag in Manbij, the spokesman said, vowing to guarantee "full security for all Syrian citizens and others present" in the Town.

He stressed Syrians must "join efforts to preserve national sovereignty," adding that Syrians are determined to defeat "all invaders."

Turkish-backed Syrian fighters raise the opposition flag as they arrive in the border rebel-held town of Qirata on their way to Manbij, Syria, December 25, 2018. /VCG Photo

It was unclear whether the government forces had spread out into the town, where U.S. forces have operated and set up a base earlier this year.

Earlier on Friday, the YPG militia called on the Syrian government to take control of Manbij.

The YPG, which Turkey regards as a terrorist group and has vowed to crush, said its fighters had previously withdrawn from Manbij to fight ISIL in eastern Syria.

"So we invite the Syrian government which we belong to... to send its armed forces to take over these positions and protect Manbij in the face of Turkish threats," the YPG statement said.

Turkish troops and Turkish-backed rebels recently reinforced the front around Manbij.

U.S. and Turkish soldiers conduct the first-ever combined joint patrol outside Manbij, Syria, November 1, 2018. /Reuters Photo

Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia's deputy foreign minister, said on Friday that Moscow will host the leaders of Russia, Iran and Turkey to discuss the Syrian conflict early next year as the United States prepares to withdraw its troops from Syria.

"It's our turn to host the summit... around the first week of the year. This will depend on the schedules of the presidents," Bogdanov was cited as saying by Interfax news agency.

The meeting will be the latest step in the Astana peace process – set up in early 2017 by Russia and Iran, who support Assad's government in Syria, and opposition backer Turkey.

Turkey to delay Manbij operation?

Turkey's Defense Ministry said on Friday the Kurdish YPG militia has no authority to invite other elements into Manbij and warned all parties to refrain from destabilizing the region.

Meanwhile, the main Turkish-backed Syrian rebel force said on Friday that its convoys, along with Turkish forces, were moving towards the front lines with Manbij, in "full readiness... to start military operations to liberate" the town.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin speak during a ceremony to mark the completion of the sea part of the Turk Stream gas pipeline, in Istanbul, Turkey, November 19, 2018. /VCG Photo

Turkey has threatened an assault on Manbij to drive out the YPG, but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signaled on Friday that Turkey was not in a hurry to carry out the operation.

"In the current situation, we are still supporting the integrity of Syrian soil. These areas belong to Syria. Once the terrorist organizations leave the area, we will have nothing left to do there," Erdogan told reporters after Friday prayers in Istanbul.

"It's not just about Manbij, we are aiming to wipe out all terrorist organizations in the region. Our main target is that the YPG takes the necessary lesson here."

Cong Peiying, an expert on the Middle East from the China Youth University of Political Studies, told CGTN that it is unlikely that the Syrian government forces entering Manbij will have a conflict with Turkish forces, given Russia's "active role in negotiating between the two sides."

(With inputs from agencies)

(Cover: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad chairs the central committee of the ruling Baath party in Damascus, October 7, 2018. /VCG Photo)

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