ANKARA, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Defense Ministry Friday called on all parties to prevent the escalation of instability in Manbij, northern Syria.
"We warn all parties to stay away from provocative actions and rhetoric that will make the region more unstable," the ministry said in a statement.
Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia in Manbj "does not have the right" to invite other elements on behalf of the local people, the statement said, referring to the YPG's previous move that invites Syrian government to the region.
Earlier Friday, the Syrian government announced that it has entered the town of Manbij and raised the national flag there, Turkish media Daily Sabah reported.
The Manbj town is mainly held by the U.S.-backed YPG forces, while Turkey has threatened a military campaign to drive the Kurdish militia out of the town.
Ankara regards the YPG as a Syrian affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) designated to be a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and EU.
