Erdogan’s remarks came during his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party’s election rallies in the Black Sea province of Samsun and Ordu.
“We are cleaning Manbij [from terrorists]. PYD/YPG are leaving the area and we achieved this via diplomatic means,” Erdogan said.
Recalling Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s talks with his American counterpart in the U.S. on June 4, he said the U.S. started to proceed east of the Euphrates as a result of the meeting.
“We are working together with Russia and Iran in the west [of Euphrates],” he added.
Erdogan said the agreement reached with the U.S. was being executed step by step.
He also said Syrian refugees who had escaped from Manbij and came to Turkey would return to their homes after the area is cleared of terrorists.
He likened this to the 200,000 Syrians, who were returning to their homes in Afrin and Jarabulus, after they were liberated from terrorists following Turkey's anti-terror operations in the area.
Armored vehicles belonging to the Turkish army were stationed around Sajur river which runs through the town of Jarabulus, in the area where Operation Euphrates Shield took place, and Manbij.
Operation Euphrates Shield, which began in August 2016 and ended in March 2017, was aimed at eliminating the terrorist threat along the Turkish border with the use of the Free Syrian Army, backed by Turkish artillery and air cover.
The joint forces carried out patrols in an area overlooking the U.S. base in the Syrian town of Dadat.
The patrols, in line with a roadmap devised by the U.S. and Turkey on the issue of Manbij, lasted around three hours.
