US says joint Manbij patrols to 'soon' begin

WASHINGTON (AA) - Joint U.S.-Turkish patrols in the gateway Syrian city of Manbij will "soon" begin, Defense Secretary James Mattis told reporters Tuesday.

The defense chief said Ankara and Washington are continuing to progress on a bilateral roadmap to rid the area of the YPG/PKK terror group, and critical equipment has arrived in Turkey ahead of the commencement of joint patrols.

"The training equipment has arrived in Ankara, and we are getting close on getting this process to a point that it is enabling the combined patrols," Mattis said at a joint news conference with Joint Chiefs Chairman Joseph Dunford.

"Soon we will be patrolling together. I am very confident of that," he added.

Turkey and the U.S. conducted their 35th round of patrols in the northern Syrian city of Manbij as part of the Manbij Roadmap on Saturday.

In a statement, the Turkish General Staff said forces of both countries conducted separate coordinated patrols in the region between areas liberated by Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield and Manbij.

Patrols by Turkish and U.S. troops in the region began June 18.

The Manbij deal between Turkey and the U.S. focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the city in order to stabilize the region.

Mattis said he and his Turkish counterpart are engaged in "very candid" conversations following a Monday telephone call.

Addressing Ankara's purchase of the Russian S-400 anti-missile system, Mattis said it "does concern us and we do not recommend that."