Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union list the PKK as a terrorist group, but Washington and Turkey's other Western allies have ignored the organic links between the PKK and the YPG by not listing it as a terrorist group. Previously, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that the U.S. has 13 military bases in YPG-controlled areas, slamming the country's continuous support for the terrorist group. Ankara considers the YPG to be a terrorist organization, but that U.S. does not and it has been supplying the group with truckloads of weapons and military equipment. "We do not see the YPG as the ally of the U.S. Turkey is our ally," the official said, adding that both countries aim to establish a joint mechanism to decide on the future of security in Manbij. The YPG has been a key component of a United States-backed Kurdish-Arab alliance that has been fighting Islamic State in Syria. They also seized a strategic mountain in the north-east of the enclave, a military official from the Turkish-led operation said. US has set up about 20 military bases on YPG-controlled territory in Syria, Russia says

The United States is determined to fulfill its pledges made to Turkey regarding the existence of People's Protection Units (YPG) in the Syrian city of Manbij and has no doubt that Turkey is paying utmost attention to ensure no civilians are harmed during Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, a top U.S. official told Sabah daily Thursday.
Turkish troops and the Free Syrian Army seize control of the strategic town of Rajo, Syria, from YPG forces.