Whilst most media attention is on the fall of the Baath regime under Bashar al-Assad and the takeover of the cities of Homs and Damascus by jihadist Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militias, the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) has escalated its attacks on the city of Manbij (Minbîc).
Manbij (Minbîc) Military Council (MMC) has shared a statement concerning the latest developments, confirming that heavy clashes are taking place between the Turkish-backed SNA and the MMC, which is backed by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
In the statement, the MMC announced that the SNA launched an attack using a convoy of armoured vehicles backed by Turkish Armed Forces air support, on the southern entrance to Manbij city at around noon local time. The MMC claims to have repelled the infiltration attempt by “laying a deadly ambush, inflicting significant casualties”.
Sleeper cells affiliated with the SNA have also become active in the city of Manbij “in a desperate attempt to sow fear and chaos”, said the MMC.
The liberation of Manbij from Islamic State on 15 August 2016 is considered to have been a turning point in the fight against ISIS. The MMC reiterated their commitment to defend the city, saying that they have made “thousands of sacrifices to liberate this region from the clutches of ISIS” and that they “remain unwavering in their commitment to defend Manbij”.
There have been escalating military attacks on Manbij by the SNA and the Turkish Armed Forces in the last few days, claiming civilian casualties. Turkish air strikes on the city continue, and Manbij Civil Council building was hit by a Turkish air strike today.
