Ankara shares footage on joint Turkey-US patrols in Manbij

ANKARA

Turkish National Defense Ministry on Friday shared a footage of the first round of the joint Turkey-US joint patrols in northern Syrian town of Manbij.

The ministry on Thursday said in a statement that Turkish and U.S. armed forces continue their activities in Manbij within the framework of Manbij roadmap and security principles.

"Based on mutually conducted planning, coordination and joint training activities, combined joint patrols started today [Thursday] as of 3:53 p.m. [1353GMT]," it added.

The ministry also said combined joint patrols will continue "until the endstate agreed in Manbij roadmap is reached".

The Manbij deal between Turkey and the U.S. focuses on the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from the city to stabilize the region, which is in the northeast of northern Syria's Aleppo province.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the death of some 40,000 people, including those of women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.

Reporting by Sarp Ozer:Writing by Diyar Guldogan