Conflicting reports on Syrian entry into key Kurdish town of Manbij
/ CBS/AP
Syria's military announced Friday it had entered the flash-point Kurdish-held town of Manbij and raised the national flag there, where Turkey has threatened an offensive. A Kurdish official said the government troops arrived only at the front lines.
Ilham Ahmed, the senior Kurdish official, said U.S. troops haven't withdrawn from Manbij. U.S. troops patrol the tense front lines between Manbij and adjacent towns, where Turkey-backed fighters have been based.
She said an agreement is being worked out with the Russians and the Syrian government that in case of a full U.S. withdrawal, the government would take over.
"The aim is to ward off a Turkish offensive," Ahmed said. "If the Turks' excuse is the (Kurdish militia), they will leave their posts to the government."
There was no immediate comment from the U.S.
President Trump suddenly announced earlier this month he was pulling out the 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria.
A resident of Manbij who spoke to The Associated Press from the town on condition of anonymity said there was no sign of Syrian government troops.
Pro-state Syrian TV aired footage from inside Manbij of commercial streets on a rainy day, but didn't show any troops. It aired images of a military convoy driving late at night, reportedly to Manbij.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Syrian troops have deployed around Manbij on the front line with the Turkey-backed fighters to the west.
The Syrian military declaration came shortly after the main Syrian Kurdish militia invited the government to seize control of Manbij to prevent a Turkish attack.
Turkey's Defense Ministry said the Kurds have no authority to make statements on behalf of the region's people and said it was closely monitoring the situation in Manbij.
The Syrian Kurdish group, which had partnered with the U.S. since 2014 to fight the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), has sought new allies in light of Mr. Trump's announcement, reaching out to Damascus and the Russians to protect their Kurdish-administered areas in north Syria.
The Syrian government has said it welcomes the Kurdish group returning under its authority. But government officials have stated they won't consider an autonomous area, a main demand of the Kurds.
The announcement by the Syrian military was quickly welcomed by the Kremlin, whose spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, called it a "positive step" that could help stabilize the situation. Russia is a stanch ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Syria's supposed entry into Manbij comes a day before Moscow is to host top Turkish officials to discuss the crisis in Syria in light of the announced U.S. withdrawal.
Turkey, which views the Kurdish militia as a terrorist group, had been threatening a military operation against Manbij. Turkey and its allied fighters have been massing troops around Manbij in recent days.
The conflicting reports reflect that all sides are scrambling to reach a deal on how to replace U.S. troops following the Trump announcement. A timetable for the withdrawal hasn't yet been made public.
Mr. Trump said the main reason U.S. troops were in Syria was to battle ISIS and that ISIS had been defeated — a widely disputed contention.
Critics decried his decision, saying removing U.S. troops would leave the Kurds vulnerable to a Turkish attack and that it would show the U.S. isn't a reliable partner. They also asserted Syria would then be much more vulnerable to Russian and Iranian influence, and leave Assad in power.
A statement on the Syrian Kurdish militia group's website said its forces would now focus on the fight against ISIS to the east of the Euphrates River.
First published on December 28, 2018
© 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Hotel employees who called cops on black guest put on leave
Jermaine Massey says he went to a quiet corner of the hotel lobby to take a phone call when a security officer approached him
updated 9M ago 
Friends with your boss? It might cost you
Managers are less likely to reward bonuses to workers who they're friendly with, an academic study suggests
updated 21M ago 
Where markets went wrong in 2018: Nearly everywhere
After a strong run, with soaring corporate profits and record-high stock prices, the year is ending rather poorly
1H ago 
L.A. TV anchor dies after being found unconscious in motel
Glendale firefighters responded to the scene and found Burrous, 43, inside a room and not breathing
1H ago 
Former top CIA official: MBS was "stupid" in Khashoggi killing
On "The Takeout" this week, former Acting CIA Director Michael Morell talks with host Major Garrett about the killing of Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi
2H ago 
Trump "willing to negotiate" on border wall, Sarah Sanders says
The White House Press Secretary would not offer details on what the president might be willing to agree to
updated 3M ago
Former top CIA official: MBS was "stupid" in Khashoggi killing
On "The Takeout" this week, former Acting CIA Director Michael Morell talks with host Major Garrett about the killing of Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi
2H ago 
El Paso may face "crisis" housing migrants due to Sun Bowl, pol warns
Rep.-elect Veronica Escobar says fans will fill hotel rooms but migrants dropped off by ICE have been put up in hotels when shelters are full
3H ago 
Shutdown expected to stretch into 2019 as sides are still "very far apart"
Lawmakers in the House were notified that no votes are expected to take place this week
13H ago 
After Trump's visit, Iraqi lawmakers demand U.S. withdrawal
Politicians from both sides of Iraq's political divide are calling on parliament to vote to expel American troops
Dec 27 
Conflicting reports on Syrian entry into key Kurdish town
Syria says its military has gone into Manbij at Kurds' request to ward off feared Turkish attack but Kurds say Syrians are only on outskirts
updated 11M ago 
71-year-old man tries to cross Atlantic in a barrel
He hopes to reach the Caribbean in three months, propelled only by the ocean currents
13H ago 
Saudi king orders overhaul of top posts after Khashoggi killing
The changes appear to further consolidate the crown prince's grip on power
21H ago
After Trump's visit, Iraqi lawmakers demand U.S. withdrawal
Politicians from both sides of Iraq's political divide are calling on parliament to vote to expel American troops
Dec 27 
American becomes first person to cross Antarctica alone, without help
Colin O'Brady's epic 54-day, 930-mile journey was previously thought to be impossible and was almost all uphill
Dec 27 
Frank Adonis, "Goodfellas" actor, is dead at 83
The actor's wife told TMZ that Adonis was struggling with various health issues
14H ago 
Watch the trailer for "Black Mirror: Bandersnatch"
Netflix has officially dropped the trailer for the standalone "Black Mirror" movie
15H ago 
Adam Lambert's cover of "Believe" brings Cher to tears
Lambert sang "Believe" as a tribute to Cher at the Kennedy Center Honors
updated 4M ago 
"Holmes & Watson" earns 0 percent "fresh" rating
Critics hate the newest Sherlock Holmes adaptation
20H ago 
Police say there is video of alleged Kevin Spacey sexual assault
According to the statement from police, the victim said "his girlfriend didn't believe him," so he "Snapchatted the video" of Spacey allegedly touching him
21H ago 
Russians probe mysterious hole in space capsule
A Russian cosmonaut who recently returned to Earth is revealing more details about the mysterious hole in a Soyuz capsule docked to the International Space Station
Dec 25 
"Ring of Fire" volcano triggered deadly tsunami
The deadly tsunami that struck Indonesia this weekend is just the latest in a series of seismic disasters along the "Ring of Fire"
Dec 25 
Upcoming app aims to give you big leg up in online privacy battle
FigLeaf's offering seeks to let you learn where your personal data's been been leaked across the internet and arm you with new tools to stay private
Dec 24 
In esports, parents push young players to excel
Forget soccer or piano lessons – these days, some parents are encouraging their kids' interest in video gaming
Dec 24 
SpaceX launches Air Force's most powerful GPS satellite ever built
Running five days late, SpaceX launched a next-generation navigation satellite Saturday
Dec 23 
Teen on a mission to raise money for sister's disease
Christiane Benson suffers from Batten disease, a rare neurological disorder degrades brain function and can cause blindness and seizures
13H ago 
9/11-related cancers killed 15 police officers in 2018
A new report breaks down life-threatening risks to law enforcement officers
16H ago 
"Am I Dying?!": How to know when a common symptom is serious
In their new book, cardiologists Christopher Kelly and Marc Eisenberg break down when to relax, call your doctor, or go to the ER
18H ago 
Surgery center alerts 3,778 patients about possible infections
Health officials want people to get tested for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C
Dec 26 
Does America's workforce have a drug problem?
Laboratory data show that drug use in health care, retail and other U.S. industries is on the rise
Dec 24 
Friends with your boss? It might cost you
Managers are less likely to reward bonuses to workers who they're friendly with, an academic study suggests
updated 21M ago
Where markets went wrong in 2018: Nearly everywhere
After a strong run, with soaring corporate profits and record-high stock prices, the year is ending rather poorly
1H ago 
Amazon's rise forces laundry detergents to shrink
Lighter packaging means it pays less to ship the products to shopper's doorsteps, which increases profits
15H ago 
Consumer confidence takes a dive in December
The latest reading of the index's future expectations component fell to the lowest level since November 2016
16H ago 
J.C. Penney stock falls below $1 to 97 pennies
Penney shares sink into literal penny-stock territory, continuing steep drop since retailer cut sales outlook last month
16H ago 
4 arrested weeks after West Virginia mine rescue
Kayla Williams, Erica Treadway, Cody Beverly and Eddie Williams entered the mine on Dec. 9. The criminal complaint said they enetered to steal copper wire
7H ago 
"We will bring him to justice": Police hunt suspected cop killer
Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson said the suspect is in the country illegally
7H ago
Police say there is video of alleged Kevin Spacey sexual assault
According to the statement from police, the victim said "his girlfriend didn't believe him," so he "Snapchatted the video" of Spacey allegedly touching him
21H ago 
Manhunt for suspected cop killer
The suspect was seen on surveillance video buying several packs of beer before getting back into his Dodge Ram pickup truck, investigators said
16H ago 
Audio of 911 call shows student’s concern before ex-boyfriend killed her
Lauren McCluskey, 21, grew increasingly concerned about the handling of her harassment complaint before her ex-boyfriend killed her
Dec 25
