Syrian Kurdish forces return to base

BEIRUT: The Syrian Kurdish YPG militia said yesterday its forces taking part in an operation to capture the city of Manbij from Islamic State (IS) had returned to their bases after the mission was successfully completed.

The US-led coalition against IS separately said the “main element” of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance, which includes the YPG, had moved east across the Euphrates river, which they had crossed in order to capture Manbij.

US vice president Joe Biden said on Wednesday Syrian Kurdish forces must return to the east of the Euphrates into territory they hold after seizing Manbij. Turkey has demanded Kurdish forces withdraw.

It said yesterday Kurdish fighters must retreat east of the river within a week.

The YPG said military command and all YPG-held positions had been handed to the allied Manbij Military Council, while civilian control was handed to a civilian council on August 15.

The YPG did not say where the bases were located. The Manbij military and civilian councils say they are comprised of people from Manbij.

The YPG has been a key partner in the US-led campaign against IS in Syria. A spokesman for the US-led coalition said the SDF had withdrawn east to prepare for “the eventual liberation” of Raqqa, IS’s main city in Syria.

The YPG controls swathes of northern Syria, where Kurdish groups have set up their own government since Syria’s civil war began in 2011. – Reuters