Turkey threatens attack on Kurdish YPG militia if it fails to leave Manbij
DEBKAfile was founded by a team of journalists in June 2000 as an independent Internet Web site, providing an intelligence and security news service. March 9, 2017, 4:44 PM (IDT)
Turkey threatened on Thursday afternoon to attack the YPG Kurdish militia if its forces do not leave the Syrian city of Manbij. Ankara did not set a deadline but it was clear from the tone of the announcement that the attack could be launched at any moment. It was the first time for Turkey to say publicly that the Kurdish militia is backed by the US. In other words, Ankara will take action against the Kurds despite the presence of American forces near the Syrian city. The announcement also referred to the YPG as a terrorist organization, or in other words, claimed the US supports a terror group.
DEBKAfile military sources: The announcement indicates Ankara's rage at the US decision that American troops and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces will be the only ones taking part in the effort to capture the Syrian city of Raqqa from ISIS.
The details on the developments were reported exclusively by DEBKAfile on Wednesday night.
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Source: http://www.debka.com/newsupdate/20068/Turkey-threatens-attack-on-Kurdish-YPG-militia-if-it-fails-to-leave-Manbij
