Manbij

Fierce clashes between pro-Turkish and Kurdish forces are taking place in Syria on Thursday, resulting in at least 37 deaths, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Among the dead are five civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The United States continues to engage with Türkiye regarding the unfolding situation in Syria following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime, the Pentagon announced on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press briefing, Deputy Spokesperson Sabrina Singh revealed that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held discussions earlier this week with Türkiye's Defense Minister Yaşar Güler.

The Syrian National Army (SNA) of the opposition has fully liberated Manbij in the country's north from the occupation of the PKK/YPG terrorist organization, eradicating one of the largest terror strongholds west of the Euphrates River, the Turkish security sources said on Dec. 9.

Turkish army has started hitting some PKK/YPG targets in northern Syria's Tal Rifaat and Manbij districts with cannon fire as the preparations for an upcoming crossover military operation, aimed to be conducted for safe return of some 500,000 Syrians, are ongoing.

International humanitarian organizations have ceased operations and have evacuated all associates in northeast Syria after the start of the Turkish military operation. Humanitarian aid supplies have also been cut off, according to the self-proclaimed Kurdish Autonomous Territory, quoted by RIA Novosti.

Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have regained control of a key border town in northeastern Syria, according to the DPA, citing the UK-based Syrian Human Rights Monitoring Center.

According to information from the centre, SDF fighters seized the city of Ras al-Ain from Turkish forces and their allies, who entered the city two days ago.

A Turkish soldier was killed on Oct. 15 by the YPG, the Syrian arm of the outlawed PKK, in Manbij region, the Defense Ministry said in a statement. 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan praised the US decision to withdraw from Syria. He noted that there was a discrepancy between the positions expressed by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and those of some Member States regarding Ankara's actions.

Erdogan told reporters that Turkey was ready to implement its decision regarding Manbij. 

Turkey's military operation in northern Syria continued for a sixth day Oct. 14 as Turkish forces took control of the strategic M4 highway, which connects the Syrian districts of Manbij and Qamishli.

Turkey's defense minister and the U.S. special envoy for Syria discussed the situation in the northern Syrian town of Manbij and the east of Euphrates River on June 27, according to a statement from the Turkish defense ministry.