YPG Official Spokesperson Redur Xelîl issued a statement over YPG’s Facebook page on claims that YPG has forces to the west of the Euphrates River.

Xelîl’s statement includes the following:

“Nobody can use the excuse that YPG has forces to the west of the Euphrates River to attack these areas. Because those people know very well that YPG forces have aided the Manbij Military Council to liberate the region from ISIS gangs, and have retreated from the region after that mission was fulfilled.”

“PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO DEFEND AND GOVERN THEMSELVES”

Xelîl stated that all attacks on Manbij will be attacks on the Manbij people, and that the Military and Civilian Councils comprised of people of the region and said: “The people of this region have a right to govern and defend themselves.”

YPG General Command had announced in a previous statement that their forces had retreated after the Manbij mission was completed. That statement included the following:

“We as the YPG General Command declare that our forces have successfully completed their mission in the Manbij liberation operation and have returned to headquarters after handing over all positions to the Manbij Military Council. Manbij city administration has also been turned over to the Civilian Council of the city. This was done with an official statement on August 15.”