Gov't Flag Hoisted across Manbij Ahead of Syrian Army's Imminent Arrival

TEHRAN (Defapress)-The Arabic-language al-Watan daily quoted local sources as reporting that civilians in Manbij in Northeastern Aleppo have hoisted the government flags across the town, preparing for a warm welcome ceremony as the army is regaining control over the town following talks between the Kurds and Damascus officials two days ago.The Arabic-language al-Watan daily quoted local sources as reporting that civilians in Manbij in Northeastern Aleppo have hoisted the government flags across the town, preparing for a warm welcome ceremony as the army is regaining control over the town following talks between the Kurds and Damascus officials two days ago.

Al-Watan said that civilians have prepared banners to welcome the army at the Western entrance of the town where the army is expected to enter Manbij.

Manbij residents have also repaired and reconstructed police stations in the town and along the Aleppo international highway to Manbij to hand over their control to the army forces, al-Watan further said.
It quoted a member of the Manbij Military Council as reporting that the Syrian government flags have been hoisted over the highest point of the town over Municipality Palace Building near al-Karank square that is a sign of Damascus' reign over the region.

On Saturday, a preliminary agreement was made between the SDF and the Syrian government on transferring control of different parts of the country to Damascus and withdrawal of the US forces from Syria.

The Arabic-language al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper quoted informed Syrian sources as saying that the SDF agreed to give control of Raqqa city and a large number of districts in Hasaka city, including those near the government and security centers, to the Syrian government.

Based on the report, the meetings were held in the presence of the Kurds close to the Syrian government, adding that they told the SDF officials that regaining control of the occupied areas was possible but Damascus prefers to retake them through political ways and negotiations.

It added that the executive council of the SDF has also informed Damascus that the US intends to withdraw its forces and evacuate its military bases from the Syrian territories.   

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