Last week, General Joseph Votel, head of the United States Central Command, said that pulling out from the strategically-important city is “not something we are looking into.” Ankara has previously called on US forces to leave the city, which is currently being held by US-backed Kurdish groups.

Turkish troops crossed into Syria in late January in an attempt to drive US-backed Kurds out of the city of Afrin. Erdogan has warned that the controversial offensive, codenamed ‘Operation Olive Branch’, could soon target “terrorists” in Manbij, which is 100km east of Afrin.

READ MORE: Syria showdown: Turkey takes aim at Manbij, but Washington says US forces aren’t leaving

Speaking at a meeting of his ruling AK Party in parliament on Tuesday, Erdogan also vowed that Turkey would develop its defense sector and reduce reliance on foreign-made defense systems.

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