PKK/PYD to leave Manbij to Syrian regime: Russia

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)-affiliated Democratic Union Party (PYD) units will leave Syria's northern city of Manbij to the Bashar al-Assad regime, a Russian military commander said on Friday.

In a media briefing released by Russia's defense ministry, Lt. Gen. Sergey Rudskoy said the Syrian army would reach Manbij, which is currently under control by the PKK/PYD.

Rudskoy also said the Syrian regime would administer state affairs in Manbij and the surrounding areas starting from Friday.

Turkey's Defense Minister Fikri Işık told journalists on Friday: "Previously, Daesh left some places to the [Syrian] regime. Now, as we can see, the PYD and the YPG left some places to the regime."

Manbij, an Arab-populated city on the western bank of the Euphrates River, has been controlled by PYD forces, which Turkey regards as a terror group and an offshoot of the PKK which Ankara has been fighting for several decades.

Turkey has insisted PYD elements must leave Manbij and withdraw east of the Euphrates.