The "new authorities" of Syria are discussing the future of American bases on Syrian soil with the administration of US President Donald Trump; it will take "some time" to resolve the issue, said Murhaf Abu Kasra, "the Minister of Defense of the Syrian transitional government."

"Everyone expected Trump to come to power. It will take some time for the American administration and the new Syrian government to [resolve] this issue," Abu Kasra said in an interview with The Washington Post. According to the minister, "negotiations" are currently underway on this topic.

Meanwhile, at least five people were killed in an explosion in the city of Manbij in the Aleppo province in northern Syria. This was reported by the Al Jazeera TV channel. According to its information, several more people were injured. No other details of the incident were provided. 

On February 3, 15 people were killed in a car bomb explosion in the outskirts of Manbij.

After the change of power in Damascus, the Turkish-backed units of the so-called Free Syrian Army (FSA) launched military operations against the Kurds in the areas of Manbij and the city of Ain al-Arab (Kobani). Clashes between FSA militants and Kurdish militias fr om the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are currently taking place near the Karakozak Bridge and the Tishreen Dam on the Euphrates River.

The Kurds control 25% of the territory of the Arab Republic, including most of the provinces of Raqqa and Hasakah, as well as the northeast of the province of Deir ez-Zor, wh ere oil fields are located. Since 2015, the United States has established at least nine military bases in areas subordinate to the SDF.

In turn, the Turkish Armed Forces carried out another operation in northern Syria, eliminating 13 fighters of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), banned in Turkey, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense reported.

"Our heroic Turkish Armed Forces have eliminated 13 PKK/YPG terrorists found in the Operation Peace Spring area in northern Syria. We will continue the fight against terrorism with the same determination and commitment, without compromise, as we have done so far," the Turkish Defense Ministry said in a statement posted on X social media.