U.S. defense secretary says Syrian Kurdish YPG forces have left Manbij

A woman stands along a damaged street in Manbij, Aleppo Governorate, Syria, August 16, 2016. REUTERS/Rodi Said/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Thursday that fighters from the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia had left the town of Manbij in northern Syria, a move demanded by Turkey. Carter made the comments to reporters after meeting his Turkish counterpart, Fikri Isik, in London. Ankara has said the YPG, which it regards as a terrorist group, must withdraw to the east of the Euphrates river. (Reporting by Phil Stewart; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by David Dolan)