US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said in a statement to reporters in the US Ministry of Defense (Pentagon) press office that the PKK's presence in Sinjar threatening Turkiye, "We are intending to see them [PKK] pull out of the Sinjar area," he added.

"There is a threat against the PKK elements up in the Sinjar area. Now, this is across the border, up in way north Iraq. And, in that case, the PKK, as you know, is a designated terrorist organization by the United States. They have killed innocent Turks. We are intending to see them pull out of the Sinjar area," said Mattis in the press conference.

A possible operation against the PKK in Turkey's Sinjar as to whether the US is supporting Mattis said he would provide information about future operations.

Mattis stated that they did not see any move against Manbij and they continue negotiations with Turkiye without any impeded, said; "So Turkiye is a NATO ally.  We have stood together. There have been strong disagreements on some issues that are having to do with Syria. It has never impeded the candor or the frequency in our meetings. And we will continue to work it forward." (ILKHA)