Syrian Army Fortifies Military Positions Near Manbij for Possible Confrontation with Ankara-Backed Militants

Hawar News quoted commander of al-Bab military council Jamal Abu Jomeh as saying that more border guards have been dispatched to the town of Arimeh and its surrounding areas in Northeastern Aleppo by the Syrian army.

He underlined that the Syrian army's border guards, Manbij Military Council forces and al-Bab Military Council Forces have coordinated with each other for any possible attack by the Ankara-backed militants.

Abu Jomeh pointed to the continuous provocative measures by Ankara-backed militants Northwest of Arimeh town, and said the al-Bab Military Council and Syrian border guard forces repelled the recent terrorist attacks on villages of Bouqz and Boyhaj West of al-Arimeh.

"A large number of Turkey-backed terrorists are now stationed near al-Arimeh and the surrounding areas of Manbij," he added.

Meantime, the Arabic-language service of Russia Today cited military spokesman of 'Syria's National Free Army militants affiliated to the Turkish Army ruled out their retreat from the outskirts of Manbij, and reiterated that they are fully prepared and present there.

In relevant development last Thursday, residents of Manbij called on Damascus to deploy army forces in the strategic town in Northeastern Aleppo.

The Arabic-language al-Watan newspaper quoted Mojib al-Rahman al-Dandan, the representative of Manbij in the Syrian parliament, as saying that as Damascus and the SDF are holding talks on deployment of army forces in the town, the residents are also strongly pressuring the officials to this end.

He added that after US President Donald Trump's declaration of withdrawal of American forces from Syria, the US army retreated from Manbij to Tishrin dam, noting that Manbij residents want immediate deployment of the Syrian army in the town.

Al-Dandan, meantime, said that the SDF leaders are also involved in internal differences as some intend to leave Syria for France and call for the establishment of a no-fly zone and some others want talks with the Syrian government.

He underlined the possibility for the imminent deployment of the Syrian army forces in the region, and said given the strategic importance of Manbij which is the main route to the Forat (Euphrates) dam, the army will be able to liberate all areas in Eastern Syria after regaining the region.

The Syrian Army entered Manbij town after the People's Protection Units asked the Syrian Armed Forces to enter the strategic town.

SDF Spokesman Ceyhan Ahmad also confirmed the Syrian Army's arrival in Manbij town.

The local sources in Northern Syria announced that the Ankara-backed militants are fortifying their positions around Manbij in a bid to attack the strategic town concurrent with US troops' withdrawal from there.

Manbij is in a critical situation after US President Donald Trump declared US forces' withdrawal from Manbij town.

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