Reports of war crimes emerge in Manbij (Minbîc) as Turkish-backed mercenaries from the rebel Syrian National Army (SNA) escalate an assault on the northern Syrian city, part of their campaign to occupy the region. Women are being taken hostage and wounded fighters face execution in hospitals, in identity-based attacks, highlighting the brutality of the SNA’s campaign and Turkey’s role in supporting it.
In the rural outskirts of Manbij, several women have reportedly been taken hostage by these mercenaries, highlighting their ongoing use of terror tactics against the population. Meanwhile, accounts reveal that Turish-backed factions entered the hospital in Manbij and executed wounded fighters, in violation of international law.
At least 30,000 Kurdish families have been assulted in Manbij city, according to the Syrian Observatory For Human Rights (SOHR), burning civilian homes and looting properties. Three people, including a woman, have been executed by Turkish-backed factions, the watchdog said. Turkish artillery shelling killed ten people in the village of Zarfan, east of Manbij, as residents attempt to flee the area.
As Turkish-backed forces press forward, Manbij’s defenders stand resolute, vowing to protect their city and people from further atrocities.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported having led a successful defence against the attacks by the Turkish-backed SNA, which have been on-going for several days, despite Turkish media propaganda portraying the city as fallen.
