The Syrian troops entered Manbij, Kurdish-led town, on Friday for the first time in years, according to a statement by the Syrian Armed Forces.

The Syrian army spokesman said the guarantee “full security for all Syrian citizens and others present in the area”.

“The General Command of the Army and the Armed Forces stresses the importance of making concerted efforts in maintaining national sovereignty,” the spokesperson said, adding that Damascus “reaffirms its determination to crush terrorism and defeat all invaders and occupiers from the soil of sacred Syria”.

The Syrian army entered Manbij to protect the town from the threat of Turkish attacks.

Turkey, which views the YPG as a “terrorist” group, had threatened a military operation against Manbij to remove the Kurdish-led forces there.