Turkey’s Erdogan says Kurdish groups leaving Manbij area

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, addresses supporters of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) during an election rally for the upcoming June 24, elections, in Samsun, Turkey on Monday, June 18, 2018. Turkey announced its troops began patrols on the outskirts of the key northern Syrian town of Manbij following a recent deal struck with the United States and Erdogan confirmed the patrol began in his speech. (Presidency Press Service via AP, Pool)

ISTANBUL: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Syrian Kurdish militia fighters were leaving northern Syria’s Manbij area.
Turkey’s armed forces announced earlier that Turkish and US soldiers had started independent patrols along the line separating Turkish-controlled areas from the town of Manbij where Ankara says Kurdish YPG militia fighters are based. Turkey considers the YPG a terrorist group.
Erdogan made the comments in a campaign rally in the northern province of Ordu.