Over the past years, the Turkish state has constantly tried to expand its authoritarian rule to Syria through the attacks it carries out against Syrian territory and its support for the so called Euphrates shield. Turkey directly occupies Syrian land in northern Aleppo with the claim of fighting terrorism. Their fight has been a theater of surrendering and capturing ground from Daesh terrorists. But it turns out their primary goal was to occupy areas the Manbij Military Council (MMC) had already liberated from Daesh terrorists. What Turkey is doing is a flagrant aggression aimed at the occupation of liberated Manbij.

We had mentioned in our previous statement, issued August 20, 2016, that the Syrian Democratic Forces had withdrawn to the east of Euphrates river as they successfully completed their mission of backing MMC forces there. We renew our commitment that we will intervene and once again support MMC units if subjected to any danger. Today, after this aggression by Turkish army and affiliated mercenaries against MMC, if demanded, we are ready to fight along Manbij Military Council against Turkish occupation. We would also like to emphasize the need for the International Coalition, led by the US, to carry out their obligations to support Manbij Military Council in Manbij.

General Command of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)

Thursday, November 24, 2016