Russia says that Syrian government forces had taken control of the city of Manbij, after Damascus deployed troops to the country’s north to contain a Turkish offensive.

“The Syrian government army has full control over the city of Manbij and nearby settlements,” the Russian defense ministry says in a statement.

A Russian envoy for Syria says that Moscow will not allow Turkish and Syrian government forces to clash, underscoring his country’s role as de facto power broker in the conflict amid a US pullout.