DAMASCUS, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army declared Friday entering the northern city of Manbij and raising the Syrian flag in it, following the withdrawal of Kurdish militia, according to the state TV.
"Out of the commitment of the Syrian army to handle its responsibilities, and upon the calls of the people of Manbij, the general command of the Syrian army declares entering Manbij and hosting the Syrian flag in it," the Syrian army said in a statement Friday.
The Syrian Armed Forces guarantee the security to all people in the area, the statement said, adding that "the army underscores the concerted efforts to dislodge the invaders and occupiers off of the Syrian soil."
Also on Friday, the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) invited the Syrian army to enter the city of Manbij to stand in the face of a planned Turkish campaign.
In a statement released Friday, the YPG said its forces have withdrawn from Manbij, urging the Syrian forces to assume control over that city in the northern countryside of Aleppo province near the Turkish border.
