© AFP 2016/ DELIL SOULEIMAN
The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is aiming to seize the city of Manbij in Northern Syria, but, there are no plans to advance furthern in Northern Syria, Christopher Garver, the official spokesman for the US-led coalition against ISIS has said, ARA news reported on June 5.
According to the pro-Kurdish outlet, if the predominantly Kurdish SDF seizes Manbik, the ISIS-ctonrolled town of Raqqa will become the group’s next target. But, this isn’t confirmed yet.
“In terms of the follow-on mission the SDF will undertake, I wouldn’t want to speculate about future operations or give Da’esh any information that may be useful,” Col. Garver said.
The US regional ally, Turkey, is highly concerned about the Kurdish expansin along the Syrian-Turkish border. Ankara calls the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), that is a major part of the SDF troops, terrorists.
The coalition spokesman’s spokesman statement pursues the goal to halt the tensions with Turkey and signify that the US-backed force doesn’t threat the Turkish “national interests”. In turn, the statement showcases the real level of the independence of the SDF on the Syrian battlefield. The SDF operations are planned by the US military, supported by the US air power and spearheaded by US special operation forces.
