Pentagon: Ceasefire Between Syrian Kurds and Turkey Remains in Effect

Sabrina Singh, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon), announced on Monday that the ceasefire between Turkey and U.S.-backed Kurdish forces in the city of Manbij in northern Syria is still in effect. Following the advance of Turkey-backed forces known as the 'Free Syrian Army' into areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces and the subsequent clashes, the United States mediated a ceasefire between the two sides in early December. However, a Turkish Defense Ministry official stated on December 19 that there is no ceasefire agreement between Turkey and the U.S.-backed Kurdish forces. The Syrian Democratic Forces are the main U.S. ally in the fight against ISIS in Syria. This force is a coalition of Kurdish and Arab groups in Syria, with the People's Protection Units being the primary component. Turkey claims that the People's Protection Units are the Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), but the U.S. and the European Union consider the People's Protection Units separate from the PKK. The PKK has engaged in armed conflict with Turkey over the rights of Kurds in the country for more than four decades and is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., the European Union, and Turkey. The United States has nearly 2,000 troops in Syria fighting alongside the Syrian Democratic Forces against ISIS and preventing the group's resurgence. Efforts by the United States to extend the ceasefire between the Syrian Democratic Forces and Turkey continue. Kurdish commander: After the ceasefire with Turkey, Kurdish volunteers are leaving. CENTCOM: One of ISIS's leaders was killed in a 'precision airstrike' by the U.S. Wall Street Journal: Syrian Kurds asked Trump to prevent a Turkish attack. U.S. strikes on ISIS positions in Syria; '12 terrorists' killed.