The Manbij offensive, code-named Operation Martyr and Commander Faysal Abu Layla by the SDF, was a 2016 military offensive operation by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to capture the city of Manbij from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and eventually, the ISIL-held areas through Al-Bab to Herbel, in the area referred to as the "Manbij Pocket"[n 1][80] in the northern Aleppo Governorate.[81] The main goal of the offensive was to cut off ISIL's last supply routes from Turkey, and to prevent ISIL fighters from escaping across the Syria-Turkey border.[58][82][83] For the first five days of the offensive, the US-led coalition conducted over 55 airstrikes in support of the SDF.[82] After capturing Manbij city on 12 August, the SDF announced that the offensive would continue until the whole countryside around Manbij was captured,[1] though the offensive effectively ended shortly after the Turkish Armed Forces initiated Operation Euphrates Shield to prevent the SDF uniting the regions of Rojava.[84]

Manbij offensive (2016)
Part of the Rojava–Islamist conflict and the American-led intervention in the Syrian Civil War

Map showing SDF territorial gains during the offensive
Date31 May – 27 August 2016
(2 months, 3 weeks and 6 days)
Location
Result

Major SDF victory

  • SDF captures ~105 villages and farms by 14 June[6]
  • SDF captures Manbij city by 12 August[7][8]
  • SDF secures defensive line in the northern countryside by 21 August,[9] and continues offensive in the southern countryside until 27 August[9]
  • Formation of Al-Bab Military Council
Belligerents

Syrian Democratic Forces
International Freedom Battalion
YBŞ[1]
YJÊ[1]
Supported by:
CJTF–OIR[2][3]

Islamic State Islamic State
Commanders and leaders
Adnan Abu Amjad[10]
(Council general commander & Northern Sun Battalion deputy commander)[11]
Abu Layla (DOW)[12]
(Northern Sun Battalion commander)
Yousif Abdo Sa'don (POW)[13]
(Northern Sun Battalion security officer, alleged)
Botan Türkmeni[14]
(Manbij Revolutionaries Battalion commander)
Mustafa Manbij[15][16]
(Manbij Revolutionaries Battalion commander)
Rojda Felat[17]
(YPJ commander)
Abdel Sattar al-Jader [18]
(Jarabulus Military Council and Euphrates Jarabulus Brigades chief commander)
Muhammad Ahmed[19]
(Jarabulus Military Council commander)
Haqi Kobani[20]
(YPG commander)[21]
Abdelaziz Yunis[22]
(SDF senior commander)
Merxas Kobanê[23]
(SDF commander)
Mohammed Abu Amdil[24]
(SDF commander)
Habun Osman[25]
(SDF commander)
Şervan Afrin[26]
(SDF commander)
Diyar Şexler[26]
(SDF commander)
Heval Shiyar[27]
(SDF commander)
Judi Derek[28]
(SDF commander)
"Koçber"[1]
(YJÊ commander)
Islamic State Osama al-Tunisi [29]
(Emir of Manbij)
Abu Khalid al-Tunisi [30]
(1st replacement Emir of Manbij)
Abu Omaar al-Muhajiri[31]
(2nd replacement Emir of Manbij)
Abu Yahya al-Shami[32][33]
(commander of Manbij by August)
Abu Muhamad al-Kahtani [34]
(Emir in Manbij)
Unknown Russian emir in Manbij[35]
Islamic State Dahham al-Hussein [36]
(Emir of Um Mayyal)
Abu Hamza al-Ansari [37]
(ISIL senior leader)
Abu Suheyl El-Maarawî [38]
(commander of western Manbij)
Abu Aisha [39]
(commander of eastern Manbij)
Abu Talha al-Shami [40]
(ISIL senior commander)
Abu Hadid [40]
(ISIL senior commander)
Abu al-Hayjaa [41]
(Hisba police chief of Manbij)
Islamic State Abu Huzaifa al-Ordoni [42]
(ISIL field commander)
Islamic State Hasan Rimo [42]
(pro-ISIL tribal leader)
Islamic State Safi Yahiya Rajab [43]
(security official of Manbij)
Islamic State Unknown Moroccan ISIL field commander [44]
Islamic State Leading Sharia official of Manbij [44][45]
Islamic State Ezzit Raad [46]
(prominent battalion commander)
Units involved

Syrian Democratic Forces

International Freedom Battalion

Asayish[54]
Self-Defense Forces (HXP)[1]
Civilian Defense Force (HPC)[1]
Khabour Guards[55]
United States United States Armed Forces

United Kingdom British SOF (alleged)[60]
France French SOF[61]
Germany German KSK[4] (denied by Germany)[5]

Military of ISIL

Strength

2,900–12,000 fighters[64][65][66]

Germany c. 50[68]

Several thousand fighters

Casualties and losses
315 killed (SOHR claim)[71]
1,650 killed (ISIL claim)[72]
264 killed (SDF claim)[73]
700–1,000 killed (other claims)[74]
1,026 killed (SOHR claim)[71]
400 killed (ISIL claim)[72]
4,180 killed, 112 captured (SDF claim)[73]
444 civilians killed[71] and 2,000+ abducted[75]
~78,000 civilians displaced[76][77][78]

Preparations

edit
 
Layout of Manbij city.

In late December 2015, the SDF captured the Tishrin Dam and crossed the Euphrates, capturing the town of Tishrin and other nearby areas from ISIL, paving the way for a future offensive toward Manbij.

By 30 March 2016, the United States Air Force had conducted 25 airstrikes against the Islamic State.[3] On 2 April, six non-YPG factions of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) formed the Manbij Military Council (MMC) in preparation for the attack on Manbij. Most of the groups were part of the Northern Sun Battalion.[47][85][86]

On 3 April, the U.S. asked for Turkey's support for the Manbij offensive, but the Turkish government made two demands in exchange for helping the international military intervention against ISIL; first, that the Syrian Arab tribes to be included in the Manbij operation should leave the SDF, and second, that the U.S. should increase its airstrikes in support of Turkish-backed Syrian rebels.[87] On 4 April, according to a Turkish source, a group of U.S. military and intelligence staff traveled to Turkey to work on a plan for an operation to capture Manbij.[87] The Turkish government later stated that it would not participate nor contribute to the offensive,[88] because of the involvement of the Kurdish-majority People's Protection Units (YPG), and because it was beyond the range of artillery stationed in Turkey.[89][90] When the offensive started, the Washington Post reported it under the headline of "Ignoring Turkey, U.S. backs Kurds in drive against ISIS in Syria".[91]

On 5 April, a civilian council was formed in the town of Sarrin under the auspices of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, of Manbij people who had fled when the Islamic State took over. The council consisted of Arabs, Kurds, Syrian Turkmen, and Circassians,[92] and was created to administer Manbij after its capture.[93] When international media interest in ethnic issues surged after the start of the offensive, Sheikh Farouk al-Mashi, an Arab former member of the Syrian parliament and designated co-chairman of the Manbij City Council, stated: "I have a Syrian ID, and Kurds have a Syrian ID. Let those people who talk against us in Turkey and Europe come here and fight ISIS. Why this distortion in media about problems between Kurds and Arabs?" Kurdish fellow co-chairman Salih Haji Mohammed stated: "In our social contract, we say we want to have good relations with neighboring countries like Turkey. Any country that does not interfere in Manbij and our areas, we will have good relations with."[24]

On 31 May, the US announced that they would support the offensive and send supporting troops to the area. A US official stated that "Syrian Arab fighters would be the ones to stabilize and secure it once Islamic State is gone".[94] The same day the offensive started, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) stated "most of the fighters were from the Kurdish Popular Protection Units (YPG) militia".[95] However, the next day, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that around 3,000 SDF fighters were joining the operation and that some 2,500 of them were Arabs, while around 450 were from the YPG.[90] Furthermore, two coalition spokesmen reiterated Arab fighters were leading the offensive, while Kurdish forces were in support, and one stated the reports that were suggesting the offensive was Kurdish-led were inaccurate.[64][65] Another report stated, per local activists, that 60 percent of the attacking force were Arabs from Manbij.[67] This was also confirmed by a MMC commander, who said that 60 percent of the attacking force were Arabs and 40 percent Kurds, Turkmen and other ethnic groups,[24] while an SDF fighter gave his perspective as "we have Arabs, Kurds, nobody knows how many exactly, we all work under the SDF-forces".[96]

The offensive

edit

The SDF capture the eastern countryside

edit

On 31 May 2016, the Syrian Democratic Forces launched the offensive for the "Manbij Pocket" (al-Shahba) region, with small numbers of US Special Forces assisting with tactical operations and planning near the frontlines.[58][97][98][99] The SDF captured three villages and the al-Gharra Mountain from ISIL, located southeast of the ISIL stronghold of Manbij. This advancement put the SDF and YPG within 15 kilometres of Manbij.[100] The offensive was launched from two directions, from the Tishrin Dam area and the ruins of the Qara Qozak Bridge, near Sarrin. It was reported that US Special Forces constructed an Armoured vehicle-launched bridge (AVLB) at the site of the destroyed Qara Qozak Bridge, to enable SDF forces to cross the Euphrates River.[101] On 1 June, the SDF captured Najam Castle, on the west bank of the Euphrates River, across from Sarrin, and linked the two fronts east of Manbij, advancing along the M4 Highway and the west bank of the Euphrates.[102][103] These advances nearly doubled the SDF-held territory near Manbij since the start of the offensive,[103] and brought the SDF within 12 kilometers of Manbij.[104]

On 3 June, Abu Layla, a leading commander of the Manbij Military Council, was severely injured during the clashes with ISIL. He was subsequently moved to Sulaymaniyah in Iraqi Kurdistan for treatment[105] but he died of his wounds two days later;[12] the offensive was subsequently named after him in his honor. By this point, SDF forces had captured around 50 villages and almost 400 square kilometers of land from ISIL, within the past week.[106]

Encirclement of Manbij

edit
 
Map showing SDF envelope ISIL-held Manbij

On 4 June, the SDF captured another eight villages,[25] and cut the road between Manbij and Ar-Raqqah.[107][108] Heavy fighting continued on 5 June, five kilometers from Manbij.[65] On 5 June, the SDF captured the village of Awn Dadat, north of Manbij, severing the Jarabulus-Manbij road. SDF forces also captured Khirbat Hisan, Malla Saad, and Safiya, to the north of Manbij, killing dozens of ISIL militants.[109] By early 6 June, it was reported that the SDF had captured 10 more villages from ISIL near Manbij, including Kabir al-Kabir, located 5 km south of Manbij, putting ISIL in a state of high alert. Due to the SDF advancement and the ongoing encirclement of Manbij, ISIL was reportedly beginning to transfer fighters from the Azaz frontline to Manbij, in order to reinforce their positions against the SDF.[110]

On 6 June, ISIL fighters were reportedly fleeing Manbij with their families,[111] while ISIL attempted to regain control over Om Ezam village and its vicinity.[112] That day, the SDF took the Jarabulus-Manbij road and two villages east of Manbij.[113] By the evening, SDF fighters were within two kilometers south of Manbij.[114] Furthermore, two ISIL leaders were killed by airstrikes on Jarabulus: Abu Huzaifa Alordoni and Hasan Rimo.[42]

On 7 June, the SDF captured six more villages and farms around Qara Qoqaz bridge.[115]

On 8 June, ISIL started to abandon its frontline against the Turkish-backed rebels north of Aleppo to reinforce Manbij, while the SDF captured two more villages.[116] That morning, the rebels launched surprise simultaneous attacks from Mare' and Azaz to push back ISIL forces, which offered only token resistance.[117]

 
Civilians flee Manbij city.

On 9 June, the SDF was trying to complete its siege on Manbij, advancing on its eastern, northern and southern side, capturing several villages in the progress.[118] Later that day, SDF forces reached the Manbij-Aleppo road; the last major route going out of the city.[119] According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), 49 ISIL militants and one SDF fighter were killed in the past 36 hours.[120] The SDF announced that the emir of Manbij, Osama al-Tunisi, was among the ISIL casualties, releasing footage of his corpse.[29] According to local activists and SDF officials, Osama had attempted to escape from the city to Al-Bab with his family and bodyguards; all of them were subsequently killed by SDF artillery bombardment. ARA News reported that Osama al-Tunisi's escape attempt and death "indicates the collapse of ISIS in the city under the ongoing operation by the western-backed SDF troops".[121] Nevertheless, ISIL forces launched a limited counter-offensive south of Manbij on the same day, claiming to have retaken a small number of villages.[122] Osama al-Tunisi was subsequently succeeded by Abu Khalid al-Tunisi as new Emir of Manbij.[30]

On 10 June, Manbij was completely besieged by the SDF, with all of the routes leading to Manbij cut off by SDF forces,[76] trapping 2,000 ISIL fighters[70] and several thousand civilians inside the city.[123] Meanwhile, SDF forces continued to advance west of Manbij, reaching within 17 kilometers of Al-Bab by 11 June.[124]

The next day, SDF fighters advanced further, attacking the village of Um Mayyal, which served as ISIL headquarters for the countryside west of Manbij. In course of the following fierce battle, Dahham al-Hussein, ISIL emir and field commander, was killed and the village taken by the SDF.[36] Between 12 and 13 June, an ISIL counterattack reportedly recaptured six villages around Manbij.[125] On 13 June, it was reported that before their withdrawal from the countryside of Manbij, ISIL militants broke into civilians' houses in dozens of villages, killing the men and raping the women.[126]

By 14 June, the SDF had captured 105 villages and farms, while intense airstrikes targeted the northern and eastern vicinity, and outskirts of Manbij city, to prepare for the eventual assault on the city.[127] Following a report by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights,[4] the Syrian government "strongly condemned" the presence of French and German special forces on Syrian territory. While France's defense minister had previously announced its special forces would help the SDF advance towards Manbij, a German Foreign Office spokesman declared the accusation to be "false", stating that there were no German special forces.[5]

According to sources given to journalist Vincent Nouzille, French Special Forces alongside operators from the Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE) were particularly involved in the fighting, with "dozens" of ground operations in the area.[128] Former French President François Hollande would later admit in an interview that "the defense council showed a willingness on the part of the general staff to take on more and more special operations and those of the DGSE to continue its very military actions."[129]

On 15 June, ISIL launched another breakout attempt from Manbij city, reportedly recapturing two nearby villages.[130] The next day, SDF forces were not only able to reverse the recent ISIL gains, but also captured two more villages near Manbij, Tal Rafi'i and Yaleeni, after hard fighting with ISIL defenders.[131] SDF troops also advanced into Manbij, capturing the city's Hatabat district. In course of the fighting, ISIL's local Hisba police chief, Abu al-Hayjaa, was killed by SDF fighters.[41]

On 17 June, heavy clashes were reported at the western entrance of Manbij,[132] while SDF forces continued to advance against the remaining ISIL-held villages at the city's outskirts. SDF commanders claimed that some ISIL fighters disguised themselves as women in an attempt to flee the encircled city.[26] Later on the same day, SDF forces entered the western part of Manbij city, killing over 26 ISIL militants.[133] By this point, several Arab tribes of the Shahba region had also joined the SDF after a secret meeting.[50]

Battle in Manbij's outskirts

edit
 
Muhammad Mustafa ("Abu Adel"), the general commander of the Northern Sun Battalion, during the battle in Manbij.

On 18 June, SDF forces reached the western entrance of Manbij, two kilometers from the city center,[134] in the process inflicting heavy casualties on ISIL, including two killed senior commanders.[40] By the next day the SDF had secured the crucial Al-Kitab crossroad in western Manbij, while they continued to assault the ISIL-held villages of Yasta and Eyn En-Nexîl northeast of the city.[135] The two villages were eventually captured after heavy clashes, depriving ISIL forces of their last strongholds in Manbij's outskirts.[136] Subsequently, a SDF field commander claimed that the SDF had captured all villages around Manbij from ISIL, and that the situation for the besieged forces in the city became dire. He reported that some ISIL emirs had attempted to bribe the SDF to let them flee the city.[15] Furthermore, clashes between SDF and ISIL took place near al-Kawkali and al-Arima, where ISIL forcibly conscripted 200 locals to fight against the SDF.[137]

The next day, the coalition intensified their airstrikes in order to assist the SDF, while the latter continued to advance into Manbij. In course of these airstrikes, Abu Hamza al-Ansari, another leading ISIL commander of the city, was killed. Despite their losses, ISIL forces reportedly continued to defend their positions in Manbij fiercely.[37]

On the morning of 20 June, ISIL fighters attacked forces of the SDF from the side of al-Bab, Jarabulus and the village of Arima in an attempt to break the siege of Manbij. The clashes continued until the afternoon,[27] with ISIL forces retaking three villages[138] before they were repelled by SDF forces. Both sides suffered heavy casualties, with the SDF losing 28 fighters[139] and ISIL suffering over 140 dead and much lost matériel.[27][54] As a result of the SDF advance, ISIL initiated mass arrests of Kurdish civilians in many towns and villages of the northern Aleppo countryside. Activists expressed fear that the civilians would be used as human shields.[140] In two villages, the locals revolted against ISIL fighters when they attempted to kidnap women, resulting in clashes that left six civilians dead.[141]

With some western parts of the city on Manbij proper under SDF control, a humanitarian corridor was opened between the city and its captured countryside on 22 June in order to assist civilians evacuating the city.[142]

The next day, SDF broke into the Manbij Silos, one of the most important ISIL strongholds in the city.[143] According to U.S. officials, despite their recent defeats ISIL forces in Manbij did not show signs of faltering and were expected to fight till the last for the city.[144]

By 23 June, while there were heavy clashes in the outskirts, the SDF further advanced into the town.[145] SDF forces broke into the city's southern perimeter resulting in heavy street fighting. Two SDF fighters were killed by an explosive device.[146] Al-Masdar News reported that "hundreds" of ISIL fighters still remained in the city, "with many locals volunteering to become suicide bombers". Furthermore, the number of abducted Kurdish civilians in the northern Aleppo countryside had risen to 900.[147]

 
Explosions near the silos in southern Manbij.

On 24 June, the Manbij Silos at the southern entrance to the city, a site that had seen fierce fighting for days, were reported under control of the SDF.[148][149] Furthermore, the SDF also captured the Akhdar farms south of the city as well as the local Sharia School in the western suburb, which ISIL had reportedly used as training camp for fighters.[150]

In the course of clashes on the same day in western Manbij, Turkish Alevi MLKP volunteer Sevda Çağdaş was killed while fighting ISIL.[52] Furthermore, the YPG claimed that the Turkish Army had shelled Kurdish-held villages west of Kobanî in order to support an ISIL raid across the Euphrates; the ISIL fighters were eventually repelled.[151]

YPG forces also claimed that the Turkish Army had once again shelled their positions in the northern Kobanî Canton to support ISIL.[152]

The next day, SDF made major progress in Manbij, capturing the Al-Hawatimah and Al-Haram neighborhoods in the northern and the Al-Hawani neighborhood in the southwestern parts of the city.[153] The SDF further claimed to have broken through the ISIL defences south of Manbij, with their main force now one kilometer away from the city's main market.[154]

On the morning of 28 June, ISIL fighters launched a counterattack from Jarablus, attempting to break through SDF defenses at the northern front. After three hours of fighting at Qirat village, the attack was repelled.[155] Later on, SDF fighters broke into the Transportation Department in Manbij, which was cleared of ISIL combatants by midnight. The SDF also took control of some parts of the city's Hazawna district.[156]

The next day, especially heavy clashes were reported in the northern and southern parts of Manbij, with SDF fighters attempting to take control of the Al-Matahin crossroad. If they capture the crossroad, the SDF would be able to advance into the city center. Meanwhile, progress by the SDF in eastern and western Manbij was slowed by ISIL mines.[157][158]

The US-backed rebels have seized piles of propaganda leaflets, maps and cellphones as they push to recapture the Syrian city of Manbij. A batch of more than 10,000 documents also contains textbooks, laptops, and digital storage devices. "Exploitation of this information is ongoing to better understand [Islamic State] networks and techniques, including the systems [used] to manage the flow of foreign fighters into Syria and Iraq", the US-led anti-ISIL campaign's spokesman, Colonel Chris Garver, said Wednesday.[citation needed]

By 30 June, the SDF had "gained a critical foothold" in southern Manbij,[159] even though their progress was hindered by many landmines. ISIL fighters had also dug tunnels in the city, enabling them to launch surprise attacks on the SDF and thus further slowing down the latter's progress.[160] Nevertheless, the SDF managed to capture the Al-Asadiyê neighborhood, where Abu Layla's old home was located, and to further advance toward the city center despite heavy ISIL resistance.[161]

First major ISIL counter-offensive

edit
 
An ISIL car bomb is destroyed by a missile strike near Manbij.

Beginning on 1 July, ISIL forces launched a counter-offensive in an attempt to break the siege of Manbij and to evacuate their besieged forces. ISIL fighters attacked on all fronts,[28][162] although their most intense assault targeted the SDF-held village of Dadat at the northern front near Jarabulus. There, the ISIL attackers were repelled only after heavy fighting.[163] The next day, ISIL attacked Dadat again, finally storming it. At the same time, besieged ISIL forces in Manbij launched an outbreak attempt, reportedly recapturing the Jelawi neighborhood in the northern parts of the city and Khataf village east of Manbij.[164]

On 3 July, there were contradictory reports over the progress of the ISIL counter-offensive. Whereas ANF News reported that the SDF had repelled ISIL attacks at the northern, western, and southern front,[165] al-Masdar News claimed that a major ISIL attack from the south had succeeded in recapturing two mountains and seven villages.[166] SOHR simply reported heavy clashes at all fronts, with both sides suffering heavy casualties.[167] Shervan Derwish, official spokesperson for the Syrian Democratic Forces, maintained on Facebook that the forces of the Manbij Military Council (MMC) had clashed throughout the day with ISIL militants on three fronts in the Manbij area. But the militants had fled the area, he stated, with MMC forces pursuing them.[168] The SDF also reportedly made further progress in Manbij, although they were restricted in their use of heavy weapons due to ISIL using civilians as human shields.[169] According to Reuters, based on SOHR sources, all ISIL attacks against SDF positions that had taken place on 3 and early 4 July had been repelled, although the SDF also had reportedly made no to little progress in Manbij over the preceding ten days.[162]

On 4 July, however, SOHR claimed that the ISIL attacks of the previous day had actually succeeded in capturing some territory from the SDF, but that these gains remained strategically insignificant, as the ISIL had been unable to open a corridor to its besieged forces in Manbij.[167] Farsnews further reported that the SDF had recaptured most of the lost villages.[170] Furthermore, a SDF commander claimed that the failed ISIL counter-attacks showed the group's desperation to save their trapped fighters in Manbij, whose situation became increasingly dire.[28]

The next day, ISIL released footage that showed the brother of Abu Layla, Yousif Abdo Sa'don, as their prisoner. In the video, the tortured Yousif claimed to have worked as internal security officer for the Northern Sun Battalion, and that the SDF had suffered high casualties in the battle for Manbij. Kurdish sources confirmed that Yousif had been detained by ISIL, though hinted that he was only a civilian.[13] Meanwhile, in an effort to tip the balance in the fierce fight to free the city from ISIL, SDF forces in Manbij had called in reinforcements from Kobani, Al-Hasakah and Qamishli.[citation needed]

In the night of 5–6 July, ISIL forces in Manbij launched a counter-attack to an attempt to recapture the Al-Sherîa junction. After heavy, hour-long fighting, the assault was repelled by SDF fighters.[171] SOHR also reported heavy clashes in Mankubah village at the outskirts of Manbij,[citation needed] as ISIL launched a major attempt to break through the SDF siege. The assault was eventually repelled; nevertheless, the recent ISIL counter-attacks had led to a stalemate in Manbij, with the SDF unable to significantly advance further into the city.[172]

Battle for Manbij's west and the city center

edit

I sit in the window in my makkar
Kalashnikov at my shoulder and my trigger cocked
My brother on ribat has not slept for ages
The infidels don't dare to disturb him.
Allah wanted to test us in battle
[My] faith in Him I guard always
There are no better soldiers in this world
Than those who believe and fight boldly.
My wife, how long is it that I not seen you,
I know that you pine and that you love me.
I hope to live together in both worlds,
As in this world, as in the Paradise gardens.

Translated poem of a ISIL fighter trapped in Manbij, shared on Russian-speaking ISIL channels[63]

By 7 July, the SDF had further advanced into the city, coming within 1 km of the city center and capturing the southwestern neighborhoods of the city.[173]

On 9 July, heavy clashes continued in Manbij city, especially in the al-Hezwania neighborhood, of which the SDF had reportedly captured 85%.[174] In course of the fighting in Manbij on that day, Abu Khalid al-Tunisi, the ISIL emir of Manbij, was killed. He was subsequently replaced by Abu Omaar al-Muhajiri as leading local commander.[30][31]

On 10 and 11 July, heavy fighting between SDF and ISIL fighters took place in the Sabaa Bahrat and al-Hezwania neighborhoods, as well as at the National (Watanî) Hospital.[175][176] During the clashes near the hospital, a CJTF–OIR airstrike killed Abu Suheyl El-Maarawî, ISIL commander of western Manbij.[38] In the Sabaa Bahrat and al-Hezwania neighborhoods, ISIL forces launched a last large-scale counter-attack,[176] resulting fierce fighting,[177] in course of which the ISIL security official of Manbij, Safi Yahiya Rajab, was killed.[43] ISIL also launched another counter-attack along the Sajur River west of Dadat on 11 July, though the assault was repelled by the SDF.[178]

From 11–13 July, the SDF made major progress in western Manbij, as it first split the ISIL pocket in a large eastern and small western half,[179] the latter of which the SDF then mostly captured.[180] After several days of heavy fighting, ISIL forces finally retreated from the Sabaa Bahrat and al-Hezwania neighbourhoods after suffering heavy casualties.[176] Meanwhile, heavy fighting continued at the hospital[179] and the Sharia square, where Abu Muhamad al-Kahtani, an ISIL emir, was killed.[34] As their situation became increasingly desperate, the remaining ISIL fighters of Manbij reportedly had begun to negotiate with the SDF for a deal in which they would be allowed to peacefully leave Manbij for other ISIL strongholds.[181] A SDF official declared in regard to the remaining ISIL fighters in Manbij, "Either they will surrender and give up, or fight against us until they die."[182] Two reporters near Manbij were injured by an IED, with Mustafa Mohammed of Ronahi TV dying of his wounds five days later.[183]

 
SDF fighters advance into Manbij.

On 16 July, the Fars News Agency claimed that the SDF had finally captured the National Hospital from ISIL fighters,[184] which was later on confirmed by Reuters. Used as command center and logistics hub, the loss of the hospital was a heavy blow to local ISIL forces.[185] Nevertheless, clashes around the hospital continued the next day, while SDF fighters reached the Al-Aqsa mosque. The YPG had also deployed their elite sniper teams to Manbij, inflicting heavy casualties on ISIL forces.[186] At the same time, SDF fighters captured several sites north and west of the al-Hezwania neighborhood,[187] while Levi Shirley (Heval Agir), a U.S. national fighting for the YPG was killed in Manbij.[188] Furthermore, CJTF–OIR airstrikes hit six ISIL tactical units and destroyed 22 defense positions in Manbij.[citation needed]

On 18 and 19 July, ISIL launched counter-attacks in the northern, western and southern countryside in another attempt to break the siege of Manbij. The northern attack at the Sajur River failed disastrously, resulting in the death of 111 ISIL fighters and the SDF destroying several armored vehicles.[189][190] In the south, however, ISIL claimed to have retaken the Al-Aqra Mountains, as well as the villages of Umm Al-Sirraj and Qarah Saghirah.[191] In Manbij itself, heavy fighting continued, while the US Central Command stated that liberating the city would probably still take much time.[183]

On 21 July, the SDF issued ISIL an ultimatum to leave the city along with their light weaponry within 48 hours,[192] though ISIL did not respond to the offer.[193] U.S. Army Colonel Christopher Garver, chief spokesman for the US military command in Iraq and Syria, commented that fighting was "very intense", describing it as "different than what we've seen in Fallujah [or] Ramadi" and concluding that "this is a fight like we haven't seen before."[194] Fierce fighting continued during the next days in the city center, with the SDF attacking the Post Office and the Cultural Center. By 22 July, the SDF had reportedly captured 90% of western Manbij, though a number of small ISIL pockets in the area continued to resist, most notably at the Tetbekat Prison.[195] On 24 July, ISIL attempted yet again to break the siege on Manbij, launching several attacks in the countryside. ISIL fighters attacked Osajli village in the southwest, Zinogil village in the northwest, and Til Sarraj in the south. All assaults were eventually repelled, but only after fierce fighting that continued until the next day.[196]

On 25 July, Kurdish sources reported that SDF had retaken Bannawi neighbourhood and were fighting in al-Kejeli. SDF sources claimed that 51 ISIS fighters were killed during the clashes. The SOHR backed this claim up by stating that the SDF was advancing "in several areas in Manbij city, amid more casualties among both parties".[197] The clashes in al-Kejeli continued throughout the following night, and resulted in the death of Abu Aisha, a Turkish ISIL emir and commander of eastern Manbij.[39] However, even as ISIL forces retreated, they attempted to hamper the SDF's advances as much as possible. Thus, there are reports of ISIL fighters planting large numbers of bombs and landmines in Manbij's houses, shops, schools and other public places to detonate them while retreating from their positions.[198]

Second major ISIL counter-offensive

edit

On 28 July, ISIL launched a major counter-offensive in the western Manbij countryside. In course of this attack, the Islamists retook the villages of Yalanli, Qatwyran (Qurt Wiran), Qart, Al-Buwyr, Al-Jamousyah, and Al-Dandaniyah from the SDF. In Al-Buwyr, ISIL fighters then proceeded to execute 24 civilians. The Amaq News Agency also claimed that ISIL had recaptured the Bannawi neighbourhood in Manbij city.[199][200][201] Pro-Kurdish news outlets such as Hawar News Agency disputed that the aforementioned villages had fallen, though it reported that clashes took place in the villages Bozgich and Misherfat in northwestern Manbij on the night of 28–29 July. It was also reported that the SDF had gained full control of the Kijli neighborhood in Manbij.[202]

Battle for the last ISIL pockets and capture of Manbij city

edit
 
Arab and Kurdish fighters of the SDF fight their way into Manbij's city center, held by ISIL militants.

While ISIL forces continued their attacks in the countryside on 31 July, as heavy fighting was reported in Adasa village west of Manbij, the SDF achieved a number of breakthroughs in the city itself. SDF fighters captured the Al-Na'imi[203][204] and Mestosaf neighborhoods, the Ghasania school and much of the Al-Jazeera road. According to SOHR, the SDF had by then captured 40% of Manbij,[205][206] while Reuters reported that 70% of the city had fallen to the SDF, including most of the west, east and north. In consequence, ISIL forces were mostly confined to the old quarters in the central and southern city. By this point, 40,000 to 50,000 civilian residents of Manbij had fled the city,[207] although a number of locals remained to volunteer with the SDF and had begun training to fight ISIL.[208] Sometime in course of July, prominent Australian ISIL battalion commander Ezzit Raad was also killed in the city.[46][209]

On 1 August, the SDF captured Jib Nashama village south of Manbij.[210][211][207] The next day, SDF fighters again managed to break through ISIL frontlines in Manbij, seizing the Bujiya roundabout in the city center, and the Bashar Roundabout to the south. The SDF advances since late July had reduced the ISIL forces in Manbij to a number of isolated pockets,[212] with different news outlets claiming that the SDF had taken 60–80% of the city.[16][206][213] By 3 August, there was still bitter fighting at the Jazeera Road, where SDF fighters coming from the north and south attempted to cut off the ISIL troops in the east from the city center,[206] to which most ISIL forces had begun to retreat.[213] Meanwhile, the isolated ISIL pocket at Tetbekat Prison in western Manbij continued to resist.[206] It was also reported that two more foreign YPG volunteers were killed in course of the fighting in the city: Dean Carl Evans, a British citizen, and Martin Gruden, a Slovenian citizen.[213]

 
Situation in Manbij city on 5 August.

SDF fighters continued to advance over the following days, capturing Mankuba village in Manbij's northern outskirts,[214] as well as the al-Hal market, the al-Thor school, the Sinaa and al-Tal neighborhoods in the city itself following heavy clashes.[215] By 5 August, the SDF claimed to have taken 90% of the city.[216][217] Despite these recent successes, fighting in the city remained fierce, and SDF continued to send reinforcements into the city. Pro-opposition media reported that 300 Asayish who had been ordered to join the frontlines had refused to do so, resulting in their arrest.[218]

On late 6 August, the SDF overran ISIL positions in several parts of Manbij, bringing the city almost completely under their control. This led to a number of false reports that declared the city captured, even though fierce fighting continued for a number of ISIL pockets in the northern and central city; most importantly, ISIL fighters still held the Al-Sirb neighborhood and parts of the central market,[219][22] where a minor ISIL counter-attack failed on the same day.[220] The next day, the SDF claimed to have captured the İhyati Bakery, the central market, as well as the Bazaar and Sheikh Eqîl neighborhoods. Heavy fighting continued for several other parts of the city center, where ISIL fighters had taken many civilians hostage to use them as human shields.[221][222]

Inform all our brothers that we will never accept withdrawal ever and that they must endure even if only one of them remains, and we have considered invalid the blood of all who withdraw without permission: i.e. you do not have any acceptance for what we have not permitted for you, and we will kill all who withdraw or encourage withdrawal and works for it, and we order you, Abu Yahya, to kill all who withdraw and prepare for it.

Order of the ISIL war committee to the commander of the remaining ISIl forces in Manbij on 8 August[32]

On 8 August, the SDF claimed that they had taken over 90% of the city center, with the ISIL forces mostly confined to a small pocket in the northern city. In the course of their retreat into the northern pocket, however, ISIL fighters had taken their civilian hostages with them. Due to this, the SDF offered a new deal to the Islamic State in Manbij in the form of free passage out of the city, if the militants released all civilians.[223][224] In response the offer, the ISIL war committee sent a letter to Abu Yahya al-Shami, who had by then become commander of the surviving ISIL forces in Manbij. The ISIL leadership ordered him to not surrender or withdraw under any circumstances, but rather fight to the death. Any ISIL fighter who wanted to surrender or flee was to be killed, as were those who displayed a defeatist attitude or welcomed the defeat of ISIL in Manbij.[32][33]

Meanwhile, the YPG also announced that another foreign volunteer, the Egyptian Badin al-Imam, had been killed during the battle for Manbij.[225] A meeting of representatives for more than sixty local Arab tribes with SDF officials and Manbij Civilian Council members was organized at Abu Abrus village to discuss the future of the whole Manbij region after ISIL was driven off. The Manbij Civilian Council expressed their wishes for the area to fully join the Rojava federation, though said that the region could also choose self-administration or to become completely independent from Rojava. SDF officials said that they "want everyone to participate in administrating the city, whether they are against us or not".[226] On the other side, SOHR claimed that the SDF had displaced Arabs in the countryside of Manbij; the SDF leadership denied this, saying that the concerned villages had not been cleared of mines yet, so if the residents were allowed to return they could die. One SDF official argued that "some civilians after three days of displacement already complain they cannot go back to their village. This is not realistic and they have to wait."[227]

 
SDF fighters in Manbij.

By 9 August, ISIL fighters still held parts of the Cultural Center, Emel Hospital, a hotel, the Security Crossroad, a post office, the Al-Mûxeta market, the Al-Serab and Al-Cura neighborhoods, the Agriculture School and the Jarablus road, which they still defended fiercely amid slow SDF advances.[228][229] Other pockets such as Tatbekat Prison had by then fallen, while al-Masdar News estimated that only around 100 ISIL fighters, mostly snipers, and their families were left in Manbij.[230] Nevertheless, the few remaining ISIL forces held around 1,000 civilians hostage, which made any airstrikes and major attacks extremely difficult for the anti-ISIL coalition.[231] During the night, ISIL forces attacked SDF positions in the northern countryside, though the assault was eventually beaten back.[232]

On 10 August, seven ISIL "inghimasi" suicide bombers and fighters reportedly attacked a U.S. outpost near the Tishrin Dam, attempting to inflict as much damage as possible. The pro-ISIL Amaq News Agency claimed that at least 41 U.S. soldiers and Kurdish fighters were killed in resulting clashes, mostly by explosives.[62] On the same day, the YPG announced the death of U.S. volunteer Jordan MacTaggart in course of the fighting in Manbij.[233]

 
SDF fighters with civilians who have been freed after being held hostage by ISIL militants.

On 12 August, the SDF announced that they had launched a final assault to capture the last ISIL pockets.[234] The remaining ISIL forces left Manbij later that day; around 500 vehicles containing the surviving ISIL fighters and civilians fled from the town towards Jarabulus. How the ISIL forces were able to leave unopposed was disputed; SOHR reported that a secret deal had taken place, with all pro-ISIL forces being allowed to leave peacefully for releasing the civilian hostages.[234][71] The SDF leadership, on the other side, claimed that the ISIL forces had taken 2,000 civilians as human shields with them in order to flee to Jarabulus.[7][8] Fars News reported yet another version of the events: Accordingly, a secret agreement had indeed taken place, which allowed the ISIL fighters to leave the city with their civilian supporters, but they had also taken some civilians hostage to prevent CJTF–OIR from bombing their convoy.[235] After the ISIL fighters had left, the SDF declared the city fully captured,[7][8][236][75] and began carrying out clearing operations in the area.[234]

Continued offensive in the countryside and Jarabulus offensive

edit

Two days after the capture of Manbij, the creation of the Al-Bab Military Council was announced for the planned offensive to take Al-Bab from the ISIL.[237] Thousands of displaced people started returning to the city after ISIL was driven out,[238] even though much of the city was destroyed and many ISIL mines still remained. Furthermore, there is no electricity, running water or medical care in the city.[239] The SDF started shoring up defenses in the outlying neighborhoods of the city to defend against possible counterattacks.[240]

On 15 August, the Manbij Military Council announced that it would continue the offensive to capture the countryside south and northeast of Manbij city.[1] The next day, the SDF captured three villages in the southwestern countryside from the ISIL.[241][242] On 18–19 August, the SDF took control of a number of villages in the northern, northeastern and southern countryside.[243][244] By 20 August, the SDF had captured 16 villages since the conquest of Manbij.[245] Manbij Military Council on 19 August issued a statement that the SDF had handed over the control of Manbij to it and had withdrawn from the city.[246][247] At this point, the SDF declared that they had succeeded in establishing a defensive line against ISIL north of the Sajur River, ending their offensive in the northern countryside. In consequence, the SDF began to intensify their offensive in the southern countryside, capturing Al-Kasra and another village in the region on the 21 August.[9][245][248]

 
Territory held by the SDF (yellow), pro-Turkish forces (red), and ISIL (grey) by 28 August.

Even though the SDF had announced the end of their operations north of Manbij, three SDF groups declared the formation of the "Jarabulus Military Council" to take Jarabulus from ISIL on 22 August. The new council had a very negative stance toward Turkey, which the council members blamed for supporting ISIL, and warned "the Turkish state of the drastic consequences of its aggressive acts against the Syrian territories and its components, especially in our region in Jarablos".[51][249] Just a few hours after the declaration, the leader of the council Abdel Sattar al-Jader was assassinated in al-Shyoukh at the Sajur River frontline by unknown gunmen, who may have belonged to the Turkish National Intelligence Organization according to the SDF. Al-Masdar News noted that the assassins could also have been members of ISIL, since al-Jabar was shot near the frontline.[250][251][18] On the same day, the SDF captured 8 villages south of Manbij from ISIL,[252] while the Turkish Army fired about 20 rounds of artillery strikes on SDF positions near Manbij with howitzers across the Syrian border after several stray shells from Syria landed inside Turkish territory.[citation needed]

On 24 August, the SDF continued to advance south of Manbij, repelling a minor ISIL counter-offensive and capturing another village.[253] As Turkey and several Turkish-backed FSA groups launched their offensive to capture Jarabulus from ISIL, reportedly 3,000 civilians fled from the town to the SDF-controlled areas around Manbij.[254] US Vice President Joe Biden demanded the same day, that the YPG should give Manbij over to Arab SDF forces and retreat to the eastern side of the Euphrates.[255][256] The YPG, however, initially refused to withdraw from Manbij,[257] while the Jarabulus Military Council groups declared that they would not give up their hometown to the Turkish-backed rebel groups which they considered "no different from ISIS". In consequence, when Turkish-backed FSA units forcibly attempted to enter the SDF-held village of Amarinah, they were met with resistance and were eventually driven off by the SDF.[258][259] Secretary of State John Kerry however assured the Turkish Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu on 25 August, that the SDF had started to retreat to the eastern side of the Euphrates.[260] A spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve later announced that the SDF had withdrawn across the Euphrates river in order to prepare for an offensive on Raqqa.[261] The YPG later separately announced it had withdrawn to the east of Euphrates and said all military command along with all YPG-held positions was handed over to the Manbij Military Council.[262]

Meanwhile, SDF units continued their offensive against ISIL during the day, as they took control of seven villages south of Jarabulus before the Turkish-backed rebels could capture them.[263] On 26–27 August, while fighting near Jarabulus escalated, the SDF captured several more villages from ISIL south of the Tishrin Dam,[264][265] with the Manbij Military Council later stating that it would send its forces north to aid the Jarabulus Military Council in its fight against Turkey and the Turkish-backed rebels.[266]

Aftermath

edit
 
After the successful offensive, Manbij and its surroundings became part of the self-governing Manbij Region (dark blue) within the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria

As Turkish-backed rebels overran SDF positions near Jarabulus, ISIL reportedly used this infighting among anti-ISIL forces to launch a counter-attack in the southern countryside, retaking Huthan village on 29 August.[267] On 3 September the YPG and the YPJ repelled an attack on the village of Til Osman, 12 km southeast of the Tishrin Dam, and seized several small arms and ammunition after killing three IS fighters and capturing two of them.[268] On 10 September, ISIL forces launched another counter-attack, aimed at retaking the villages of Khan al-Homr and Tal Aswad from the SDF.[269]

After the offensive, Manbij and its surroundings were largely integrated into the Shahba region, whose government was formed by the Syrian National Democratic Alliance (TWDS), which aims to implement social reforms in the area.[270] Thus, when a local police force was organized in October 2016, female recruits were included from the outset.[271][272]

In late October and early November, the SDF further advanced west of Manbij, capturing several more villages as well as the significant town of Arima from ISIL.[273][274]

On January 20, 2018, Turkey started a military operation heading to Afrin in northern Syria. Turkish President Erdogan repeatedly has promised to press further east toward the SDF-controlled and U.S.-patrolled city of Manbij.[275] Erdogan, President of Turkey since 2014, has threatened US forces with an 'Ottoman slap'.[276]

See also

edit

Notes

edit
  1. ^ The "Manbij Pocket" region in the northern Aleppo Province, itself the focus of this offensive, is also locally known as the al-Shahba region.[79]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Manbij operation will continue until ISIS is completely expelled". ANF News. 15 August 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  2. ^ "Syria Kurds preparing Manbij offensive: report". Now. 30 March 2016. Archived from the original on 22 April 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  3. ^ a b "US airstrikes pave way for PYD, regime advance in northern Syria". Daily Sabah. 30 March 2016.
  4. ^ a b c "American, German, and French forces are backing up SDF in Menbej battle". SOHR. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  5. ^ a b c "Damascus says German special forces in Syria, Germany denies". Reuters. Reuters. 15 June 2016. Archived from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  6. ^ "Intense airstrikes by the coalition on Manbij and advancement for The Syria Democratic Forces in the vicinity of the city". SOHR. 14 June 2016.
  7. ^ a b c "Syria rebels 'cut off IS escape route' through Manbij". BBC. 12 August 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  8. ^ a b c Charkatli, Izat (12 August 2016). "SDF captures ISIS's largest stronghold in Aleppo". Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  9. ^ a b c "Syrian Democratic Forces secure defense lines north Manbij to prevent ISIS infiltration". ARA News. 21 August 2016. Archived from the original on 23 August 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  10. ^ "Kurds set up new civilian councill for recapturing Syria's Manbij from ISIS". ARA News. 6 April 2016. Archived from the original on 7 April 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  11. ^ "SDF plays central role in Syrian civil war" (PDF). Jane's Intelligence Review. January 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 April 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  12. ^ a b "Top Syrian Kurdish commander killed in push on IS-held Raqqa". Associated Press. 5 June 2016.
  13. ^ a b Zhelwan Z. Wali (5 July 2016). "Brother of Abu Layla captured by ISIS". Rudaw. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  14. ^ Mahir Yilmazkaya (11 August 2016). "Turkmen Commander: Manbij operation an initiative for joint and free life". ANF News. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  15. ^ a b c "Mıstefa Minbic: It is impossible for ISIS gangs to escape". ANF News. 19 June 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  16. ^ a b Akram Barakat (2 August 2016). "80% of Manbij is liberated, 50 thousand civilians freed". Hawar News Agency. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  17. ^ Hisham Arafat (12 December 2016). "Kurdish woman fight double battles against terrorism, patriarchy". Kurdistan24. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  18. ^ a b Paul Antonopoulos (23 August 2016). "SDF commander assassinated near Jarablus, Syria". al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 24 August 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  19. ^ "Kurdish-backed council says Turkey's intervention to make Syrian town "grave for Erdogan troops"". ARA News. 26 August 2016. Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  20. ^ "SDF fighters: The siege will end up with the liberation of Manbij". ANF News. 11 June 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  21. ^ Zana Omar (19 November 2015). "New Fighting Alliance in Syria Putting up Fight Against IS". Voice of America. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  22. ^ a b Akram Barakat (7 August 2016). "SDF spokesman denies liberation of jihadi border pocket north Syria". ARA News. Archived from the original on 10 August 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  23. ^ "We will attain victory and freedom in the 2nd phase of Manbij Operation". ANF News. 13 June 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  24. ^ a b c "On the Front Line in the Bloody Fight to Take Manbij From ISIS". The Daily Beast. 5 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  25. ^ a b "US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces advance against ISIS near Manbij, liberate eight villages". ARA News. 4 June 2016. Archived from the original on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  26. ^ a b c "SDF commanders: We will liberate Manbij and present it to the people". ANF News. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  27. ^ a b c "Second ISIS counterattack fails to break siege on Manbij". ARA News. 20 June 2016. Archived from the original on 22 June 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  28. ^ a b c "Goals of IS late attack". Hawar News Agency. 4 July 2016. Archived from the original on 4 July 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  29. ^ a b Adra, Zen (9 June 2016). "US-backed fighters tighten grip on Manbij, kill top ISIS Emir – Map Update". al-masdar News. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  30. ^ a b c "ISIS Emir killed under SDF fire north Syria". ARA News. 10 July 2016. Archived from the original on 13 July 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  31. ^ a b "IS prince killed in Manbij". Hawar News Agency. 9 July 2016. Archived from the original on 12 July 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  32. ^ a b c Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (17 September 2016). "Archive of Islamic State Administrative Documents (continued...again) - Specimen 24A: Letter from the Delegated Committee to an Abu Yahya al-Shami in Manbij, August 2016".
  33. ^ a b Jack Moore; Rena Netjes (15 October 2016). "Exclusive: Private ISIS Letter Outlines Group's Merciless Tactics ahead of Mosul Battle". Newsweek.
  34. ^ a b "Manbij: a prince killed, explosives' center destroyed". Hawar News Agency. 12 July 2016. Archived from the original on 12 July 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  35. ^ "Manbij fighters seize a Russian prince's house". Hawar News Agency. 28 June 2016. Archived from the original on 1 July 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  36. ^ a b "Islamic State jihadi commander killed in clashes with Syrian Democratic Forces". ARA News. 12 June 2016. Archived from the original on 13 June 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  37. ^ a b "ISIS senior jihadi killed in US strike north Syria". ARA News. 20 June 2016. Archived from the original on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  38. ^ a b "15 ISIS gangs and 1 commander killed in Manbij". ANF News. 11 July 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  39. ^ a b "Security prince and the Eastern Front official killed". Hawar News Agency. 26 July 2016. Archived from the original on 26 July 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  40. ^ a b c "Aleppo: Senior ISIL Commanders Killed in Clashes with SDF near Manbij". Farsnews. 18 June 2016. Archived from the original on 20 June 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  41. ^ a b c "ISIS chief of Hisba police killed in clashes with Syrian Democratic Forces". ARA News. 16 June 2016. Archived from the original on 15 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  42. ^ a b c d "IS commander killed in Jarablos". Washington Kurdish Institute. 6 June 2016. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  43. ^ a b "An IS security official is killed". Hawar News Agency. 10 July 2016. Archived from the original on 10 July 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  44. ^ a b "SDF have Manbij surrounded". Rudaw. 11 June 2016.
  45. ^ "Aerial bombardment targets Menbej and continued clashes around the city". SOHR. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  46. ^ a b James Dowling (6 September 2016). "IS says Melbourne terrorist Ezzit Raad killed fighting for terror group". Herald Sun. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  47. ^ a b c d "The formation of a new Manbij Military Council to expel Daesh from Manbij, Aleppo". All4Syria. 2 April 2016.
  48. ^ Wladimir van Wilgenburg; Jan Mohammed (28 August 2016). "Conflict between US-led coalition allies increases, one Turkish soldier killed". ARA News. Archived from the original on 21 May 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  49. ^ Johannes de Jong (26 June 2016). "Brave Local Christians Fighting ISIS Need Guns and Bullets". The Stream. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  50. ^ a b "Airstrikes by coalition's warplanes accompany the ongoing clashes in Manbij". SOHR. 18 June 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  51. ^ a b c d e "The military council of Jarablos declared". Hawar News Agency. 22 August 2016. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  52. ^ a b "MLKP fighter Raperin Dicle falls during Manbij operation". ANF News. 26 June 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  53. ^ "BÖG savaşçısı Eylem Ataş Minbic'te şehit düştü". Etkin Haber Ajansı. 28 June 2016. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  54. ^ a b "Manbij Military Council: 142 gang members have been killed". ANF News. 21 June 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  55. ^ Rashid (2018), p. 37.
  56. ^ Wladimir van Wilgenburg (11 April 2017). "US Air Force: 40% of strikes on Syria's Manbij carried out by drones". ARA News. Archived from the original on 12 April 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  57. ^ "U.S.-Backed Syria Forces Launch Offensive For ISIS-Held Manbij Pocket". Newsweek. June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  58. ^ a b c "Exclusive: U.S.-backed Syria forces launch offensive for Manbij pocket – U.S. officials". Reuters. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  59. ^ "US-backed fighters close in on IS Syria bastion Manbij". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  60. ^ "Syria conflict: On the frontline in battle for IS-held Manbij". BBC News. 15 June 2016.
  61. ^ "France admits special forces are advising Syrian rebels – France – Radio France Internationale". 9 June 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  62. ^ a b Zen Adra (14 August 2016). "ISIS reportedly attacked U.S. base in northern Syria". al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 4 July 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  63. ^ a b Joanna Paraszczuk (7 August 2016). "Notes from Manbij - A poem". From Chechnya to Syria. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  64. ^ a b c d "US coalition spokesman: Arabs are leading Manbij campaign, not Kurds – ARA News". 4 June 2016. Archived from the original on 6 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  65. ^ a b c d e "US-backed fighters close in on IS Syria bastion". AFP. 6 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  66. ^ a b c "Residents desperate as anti-IS forces move on Manbij". Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  67. ^ a b Fadel, Leith (4 June 2016). "US backed rebels reach outskirts of ISIS stronghold". Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  68. ^ "New details in the German, American and French forces support for The Syria Democratic Forces in the northeastern countryside of Aleppo". SOHR. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  69. ^ "El Pentágono no ve riesgo de choque en Siria con fuerzas y aliados de Asad". 8 June 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  70. ^ a b Tomson, Chris (9 June 2016). "ISIS suffers new territorial losses in eastern Aleppo – Map update". al-masdar News. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  71. ^ a b c d The third US citizen fighter is killed in Manbij area and casualty number rises to about 1800 civilians and fighters
  72. ^ a b Charkatli, Izat (22 July 2016). "SDF advancing on Manbij's city center: Field Report". Archived from the original on 23 October 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  73. ^ a b "The results of Manbij liberation announced". Hawar News Agency. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  74. ^ America’s Favorite Syrian Militia Rules With an Iron Fist
  75. ^ a b "U.S.-backed forces say launch final assault against Islamic State in Syria's Manbij=". Deutsche Welle. 12 August 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  76. ^ a b "U.S.-backed forces cut off all routes into IS-held Manbij: Syrian Observatory". Reuters. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  77. ^ "UN warns Manbij battle could uproot more than 200,000 Syrians". Hürriyet Daily News. 7 June 2016.
  78. ^ "Arab-Kurdish alliance savors a victory over ISIS after two months of ferocious fighting".
  79. ^ "Tribal leaders in northern Aleppo call on US-backed SDF forces to liberate their areas from ISIS – ARA News". 23 May 2016. Archived from the original on 27 May 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  80. ^ "Revisiting Train-and-Equip in Syria to Clear the Manbij Pocket". 30 May 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  81. ^ a b "Fights to Retake Fallujah, Manbij City From ISIL Begin". Archived from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  82. ^ "Carter says Islamic State used Manbij to plot against U.S., Europe, Turkey". Reuters. 2 June 2016. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  83. ^ "Turkey deploys more tanks in Syria, warns Kurdish YPG".
  84. ^ "Military council formed and announced on Tishrin Dam, statement says: "We will make every effort to capture Manbij"". Live UA Map. 2 April 2016.
  85. ^ "Several SDF factions have formed the military council for Manbij". Live UA Map. 2 April 2016.
  86. ^ a b "Turkey has two demands from US for support in Manbij operation: Sources". Hürriyet Daily News.
  87. ^ "Turkey not contributing to U.S.-backed Syria operation near Manbij: source". Reuters. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  88. ^ "Turkey not contributing to US-backed Syria operation near Manbij: Source". Hürriyet Daily News.
  89. ^ a b "Turkish intel 'closely watching' anti-ISIL operation near its border: Erdoğan". Hürriyet Daily News.
  90. ^ "Ignoring Turkey, U.S. backs Kurds in drive against ISIS in Syria". The Washington Post. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  91. ^ Wilgenburg, Wladimir van. "Kurds, rebels in rat race to seize ISIS territory". now.mmedia.me. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  92. ^ "Kurds set up new civilian council for recapturing Syria's Manbij from ISIS". ARA News. 6 April 2016. Archived from the original on 7 April 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  93. ^ "Exclusive: U.S.-backed Syria forces launch offensive for Manbij pocket – U.S. officials". Reuters. Reuters. 1 June 2016.
  94. ^ "Syria conflict: US-backed fighters 'advance on IS-held Manbij'". BBC. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  95. ^ "SDF-led Manbij Military Council cuts off ISIS supply route between Raqqa and Manbij". Ara News. 5 June 2016. Archived from the original on 6 June 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  96. ^ "Turkey not contributing to U.S.-backed Syria operation near Manbij – source". Reuters. June 2016. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  97. ^ "US-backed Syria forces launch offensive for Manbij pocket: US officials". Archived from the original on 27 April 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  98. ^ "US, PYD hit ISIL in Syria, Turkey doesn't take part". Hürriyet Daily News.
  99. ^ "Syrian Democratic Forces capture new villages in Northern Syria". 31 May 2016. Archived from the original on 31 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  100. ^ Adra, Zen (1 June 2016). "SDF inch closer to ISIS-held Manbij". Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  101. ^ "Battle of Manbij: Evening of June 1, 2016". Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  102. ^ a b "Syrian Civil War Map 2016 – 01/06/2016: SDF merges Manbij fronts". Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  103. ^ Fadel, Leith (2 June 2016). "US backed rebels advance in northeast Aleppo". Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  104. ^ "Leading FSA commander heavily injured in Manbij operation, moved to Iraqi Kurdistan for treatment". ARA News. 4 June 2016. Archived from the original on 6 June 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  105. ^ Chris Tomson (3 June 2016). "Syrian Democratic Forces inch closer to Islamic State stronghold of Manbij". Al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  106. ^ "SDF-led Manbij Military Council cuts off ISIS supply route between Raqqa and Manbij". ARA News. 5 June 2016. Archived from the original on 6 June 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  107. ^ "SDF take control on more areas in Menbej countryside". Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  108. ^ "Syrian Democratic Forces expel ISIS from key district near Jarablus – ARA News". 6 June 2016. Archived from the original on 7 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  109. ^ Tomson, Chris (6 June 2016). "ISIS on high alert as the Syrian Democratic Forces encircle Manbij city – Map update". Archived from the original on 6 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  110. ^ "U.S.-backed force says Islamic State fleeing Syrian city". Reuters. 6 June 2016. Archived from the original on 7 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  111. ^ "More than 60 fighters killed in the operation of controlling Manbej city by the Syria Democratic Forces". SOHR. 6 June 2016.
  112. ^ "Jarabulus-Manbij road captured from ISIS". Rudaw. 6 June 2016.
  113. ^ Tomson, Chris (7 June 2016). "ISIS on the verge of losing Manbij city in eastern Aleppo – Map update". Archived from the original on 27 April 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  114. ^ "SDF advances in about 60 farmlands and villages around Menbej". Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  115. ^ "The 'Islamic State' retreat from more towns and villages in the northern countryside of Aleppo and 16 members from the "Islamic state" killed in the targeting by the warplanes of the International Coalition in the vicinity of Manbej, and the Syria Democratic Forces continue advancing in the area". Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  116. ^ "Rebels push IS back from Turkish border as Manbij showdown looms". 8 June 2016.
  117. ^ "The Syria Democratic Forces control 75 villages and farms and get closer to Manbej city and more casualties in Coalition's airstrikes". Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  118. ^ "US-backed Forces Tighten Grip Around Islamic State in Syria's Manbij – VICE News". 9 June 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  119. ^ "SDF kills about 50 IS around Menbej". SOHR. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  120. ^ "ISIS governor of Manbij killed in SDF attack". ARA News. 11 June 2016. Archived from the original on 14 June 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  121. ^ Tomson, Chris (9 June 2016). "ISIS claims to recapture areas south of Manbij in eastern Aleppo". al-masdar News. Archived from the original on 27 April 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  122. ^ "Siege of IS bastion in north Syria traps thousands". Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  123. ^ Foundation, Thomson Reuters. "U.S.-backed forces push deeper into Islamic State territory in northern Syria – monitor". Retrieved 14 June 2016. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  124. ^ Tomson, Chris (13 June 2016). "ISIS seizes two more villages from the Syrian Democratic Forces near Manbij". Archived from the original on 13 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  125. ^ "Islamic State jihadis raped dozens of women in Syrian town: activists". Ara News. 13 June 2016. Archived from the original on 14 June 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  126. ^ "Intense airstrikes by the coalition on Manbij and advancement for The Syria Democratic Forces in the vicinity of the city". SOHR. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  127. ^ Nouzille, Vincent (30 September 2020). Les tueurs de la République - Nouvelle édition. Fayard/Mazarine. ISBN 9782863748022.
  128. ^ Papaemmanuel, Alexandre; Vadillo, Floran (22 August 2019). Les Espions de l'Elysée: Le Président et les services de renseignement. Tallandier. ISBN 9791021039933.
  129. ^ Fadel, Leith (15 June 2016). "ISIS launches counter-attack against US backed forces in northeast Aleppo". al-masdar News. Archived from the original on 15 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  130. ^ Fadel, Leith (16 June 2016). "Syrian Democratic Forces liberate two villages near ISIS stronghold". Al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  131. ^ "Heavy clashes at the western entry point of Manbij city". ANF News. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  132. ^ Kurdish-led SDF enter Manbij, liberate western side
  133. ^ "U.S. backed Syrian forces advance two km from center of Islamic state-held Manbij: source". Reuters. 18 June 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  134. ^ "Strategic Al-Kitab crossroad liberated and 22 gangs killed in Manbij". ANF News. 19 June 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  135. ^ "2 more villages liberated near Manbij". ANF News. 19 June 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  136. ^ "IS plants houses in Menbej countryside and arrests 200 young men". SOHR. 19 June 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  137. ^ "28 SDF fighters killed south of Manbij". Rudaw. 20 June 2016.
  138. ^ Suleiman Al-Khalidi (20 June 2016). "Islamic State launches counter-attacks on U.S.-backed forces, Syrian army". Reuters. Reuters. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  139. ^ "ISIS arrests 700 civilians north Syria, mostly Kurds". ARA News. 21 June 2016. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  140. ^ "Shahba areas residents revolt against IS". Hawar News Agency. 21 June 2016. Archived from the original on 21 June 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  141. ^ "Syrian Democratic Forces open humanitarian corridor to evacuate civilians in ISIS-held city". Ara News. 22 June 2016. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  142. ^ "Manbij fighters broke into silos". Washington Kurdish Institute. 22 June 2016. Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  143. ^ "U.S. coalition says expects tough fight against IS near Turkish border". Reuters. Reuters. 22 June 2016. Archived from the original on 22 June 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  144. ^ "Syria conflict: US-backed forces 'enter IS-held Manbij'". BBC. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  145. ^ "US-backed forces enter key IS bastion in north Syria". Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  146. ^ Tomson, Chris (23 June 2016). "Zero hour approaches Manbij as ISIS clings onto control of the city – Map update". al-masdar News. Archived from the original on 27 April 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  147. ^ "IEDs and concern for civilians slow down Manbij operation". Rudaw. 24 June 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  148. ^ "صوامع منبج محررة". Hawar News Agency. 24 June 2016. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  149. ^ "Syrian Democratic Forces capture ISIS Sharia school in Manbij". Ara News. 25 June 2016. Archived from the original on 26 June 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  150. ^ "YPG: Turkish army and ISIS attack Rojava simultaneously". ANF News. 25 June 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  151. ^ "Turkey bombs Kurdish positions in Syria's Kobane". ARA News. 27 April 2016. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  152. ^ Fadel, Leith (28 June 2016). "Syrian Democratic Forces make huge strides in Menbeij". al-masdar News. Archived from the original on 28 June 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  153. ^ "Pentagon: ISIS resistance won't stop progress of Syrian Democratic Forces in Manbij". Ara News. 28 June 2016. Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  154. ^ "An IS attack thwarted from Jarablos side". Hawar News Agency. 28 June 2016. Archived from the original on 28 June 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  155. ^ "US-backed SDF report new gains in anti-ISIS operation north Syria". Ara News. 29 June 2016. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  156. ^ "Heavy clashes 1 km north of Manbij". ANF News. 29 June 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  157. ^ "Street to street fighting in the southern side of Manbij". ANF News. 29 June 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  158. ^ "Syrian opposition gains 'critical foothold' in southern Manbij, says US military". 30 June 2016.
  159. ^ "Anti-ISIS forces brace for street battle in Manbij". Rudaw. 30 June 2016.
  160. ^ "Heavy clashes in Manbij city center". ANF News. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  161. ^ a b "U.S.-backed militias face second Islamic State counter attack – official, monitor". Reuters. Reuters. 4 July 2016. Archived from the original on 6 July 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  162. ^ "ISIS attack in Manbij repelled". ANF News. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  163. ^ Tomson, Chris (2 July 2016). "ISIS launches surprise offensive to break Manbij siege – several sites captured". al-masdar News. Archived from the original on 2 July 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
  164. ^ "ISIS gangs' attack from 3 directions repelled in Manbij". ANF News. 3 July 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
  165. ^ Charkatli, Izat (3 July 2016). "ISIS seizes a chunk of territory from the SDF south of Manbij – 9 sites lost". al-masdar News. Archived from the original on 14 October 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
  166. ^ a b "Hundreds of civilians flee Manbij city and ISIS detonate 6 booby trapped vehicles in a violent attack from 3 areas to lift the siege of the city". SOHR. 3 July 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  167. ^ "SDF deny ISIS claim to have seized territory around Manbij". 3 July 2016.
  168. ^ "Kurdish-led SDF troops avoid use of heavy weapons in Manbij operation to guarantee civilians' safety". Ara News. 3 July 2016. Archived from the original on 6 July 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  169. ^ "Syria: ISIL Suffers Heavy Casualties in Clashes with SDF in Manbij Battlefields". Farsnews. 4 July 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  170. ^ "Heavy clashes in Manbij". ANF News. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  171. ^ Fadel, Leith (7 July 2016). "Syrian Democratic Forces, ISIS deadlocked at key town in northeast Aleppo". al-masdar News. Archived from the original on 7 July 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  172. ^ "U.S.-backed forces drive into Islamic State-held city, monitors say", Reuters, 7 July 2016.
  173. ^ "32 ISIS members killed in Manbij". ANF News. 9 July 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  174. ^ "Manbij fighters liberate west of the city". Hawar News Agency. 11 July 2016. Archived from the original on 11 July 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  175. ^ a b c "At least 32 ISIS militants killed in fresh clashes with Kurdish-led SDF north Aleppo". ARA News. 12 July 2016. Archived from the original on 14 July 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  176. ^ "Continuous clashes in Manbij, 26 mercenaries killed". Hawar News Agency. 10 July 2016. Archived from the original on 10 July 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  177. ^ "IS mercenaries' attack foiled". Hawar News Agency. 11 July 2016. Archived from the original on 11 July 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  178. ^ a b Izat Charkatli (12 July 2016). "SDF splits ISIS stronghold in 2, kills ISIS top commanders". al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 27 April 2020. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  179. ^ Chris Tomson (13 July 2016). "ISIS in trouble at Manbij as the Syrian Democratic Forces push forward – full report". al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 27 April 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  180. ^ Izat Charkatli (12 July 2016). "SDF negotiating with ISIS on relocation agreement". al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 6 January 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  181. ^ "SDF official: ISIS militants have only two options in Manbij: give up or die". ARA News. 12 July 2016. Archived from the original on 14 July 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  182. ^ a b "US Central Command says anti-ISIS operation in Syrian border pocket will take time". ARA News. 19 July 2016. Archived from the original on 20 July 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  183. ^ "Aleppo: Syrian Democratic Forces Capture Manbij's General Hospital". Fars News Agency. 16 July 2016. Archived from the original on 17 July 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  184. ^ "Syrian rebels capture Islamic State headquarters in Manbij: U.S. military". Reuters. 19 July 2016.
  185. ^ "U.S.-backed forces now control 40 percent of IS-held city of Manbij: monitor". al-masdar News. 17 July 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  186. ^ "Attempts by SDF to advance in Menbej". SOHR. 17 July 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  187. ^ "American YPG fighter killed by ISIS in Manbij". ARA News. 18 July 2016. Archived from the original on 20 July 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  188. ^ "80 ISIL Terrorists Killed in Failed Attacks on SDF's Positions in Northeastern Aleppo". Fars News Agency. 18 July 2016. Archived from the original on 18 July 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  189. ^ "111 ISIS members killed in Manbij". ANF News. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  190. ^ Leith Fadel (19 July 2016). "ISIS reclaims 3 sites near besieged town in northeast Aleppo". al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  191. ^ "Syrian Fighters Give IS 48-Hour Deadline to Leave Syria's Manbij". Voice of America. 21 July 2016.
  192. ^ "Islamic State said to shun withdrawal offer in surrounded Syrian city". Reuters. 23 July 2016. Archived from the original on 26 October 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  193. ^ "US says airstrikes on Syrian city Manbij to continue despite civilian deaths". The Guardian. 22 July 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  194. ^ Izat Charkatli (22 July 2016). "SDF advancing on Manbij's city center: Field Report". al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 23 October 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  195. ^ "Three attacks to break siege thwarted". Washington Kurdish Institute. 25 June 2016. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  196. ^ "SDF closing in on Manbij on all sides". Rudaw. 24 July 2016.
  197. ^ "ISIS Changing Manbij Public Places into Minefield". ahlulBayt News Agency. 26 July 2016.
  198. ^ Izat Charkatli (29 July 2016). "SDF advancing on Manbij's city center: Field Report". al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 23 October 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  199. ^ "IS executes 24 civilians 10 km away from Menbej city". SOHR. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  200. ^ "Dozens Killed in Intense Fighting Near Manbij". Foreign Policy. 29 July 2016.
  201. ^ "Attack foiled and searching operation are continue". Hawar News Agency. 29 July 2016. Archived from the original on 29 July 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  202. ^ "Nae'me is liberated and clashes in Azi". Hawar News Agency. 31 July 2016. Archived from the original on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  203. ^ Leith Fadel (31 July 2016). "Syrian Democratic Forces capture new district in Menbeij". al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  204. ^ "About 2300 civilians leave Menbej city during 24 hours after taking control on wide parts of it by SDF". SOHR. 31 July 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  205. ^ a b c d Izat Charkatli (3 August 2016). "Manbij Field Report: SDF controls 70% of ISIS's largest Aleppo stronghold". al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  206. ^ a b "U.S.-backed forces win control of most of Syria's Manbij from Islamic State: spokesman". Reuters. 31 July 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  207. ^ "Youth in Minbic join Democratic Syria Forces (QSD)". Hawar News Agency. 31 July 2016. Archived from the original on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  208. ^ "ISIL announces death of Australian 'jihadist' in Syria". al-Masdar News. 6 September 2016. Archived from the original on 8 September 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  209. ^ "Jib Nashama village is liberated". Hawar News Agency. 1 August 2016. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  210. ^ "Advances for SDF in Menbej". SOHR. 1 August 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  211. ^ Leith Fadel (2 August 2016). "Syrian Democratic Forces capture new sites inside ISIS-held Menbeij". al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  212. ^ a b c "Clashes in several areas at Manbij after Syria Democratic Forces' control of more than 60% of the city". SOHR. 2 August 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  213. ^ "SDF regains control of another village north of Manbij". NRT English. 5 August 2016. Archived from the original on 23 October 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  214. ^ "Western-backed SDF forces make more advances against ISIS on Syria-Turkey border". ARA News. 5 August 2016. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  215. ^ "90 percent of the city of Minbic liberated". Hawar News Agency. 5 August 2016. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  216. ^ Mahir Yilmazkaya (6 August 2016). "Manbij fighters: We are very close to victory and freedom". ANF News. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  217. ^ "Hundreds of Asayish militants refuse to go to fight in Rural Manbej". El-Dorar Al-Shamia. 6 August 2016. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  218. ^ "Fighters work to break siege in southern Aleppo". CNN. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  219. ^ "Clashes in Manbij city center continue". ANF News. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  220. ^ "15 ISIS members killed in ongoing clashes in Manbij city center". ANF News. 7 August 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  221. ^ "15 mercenaries killed and progress continues". Hawar News Agency. 7 August 2016. Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  222. ^ "SDF offer ISIS passage out of Manbij if they release civilians". Rudaw. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  223. ^ "A new initiative to be launched in Manbij". Hawar News Agency. 8 August 2016. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  224. ^ "First Egyptian member of YPG killed in fight against ISIS in Syria". ARA News. 8 August 2016. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  225. ^ "Arab tribes meet to discuss post-ISIS Manbij future". ARA News. 8 August 2016. Archived from the original on 9 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  226. ^ "Syrian Democratic Forces deny displacement of Arab civilians, call for more aid". ARA News. 9 August 2016. Archived from the original on 11 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  227. ^ Mahir Yilmazkaya (9 August 2016). "Manbij operation in its 70th day". ANF News. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  228. ^ "ISIS strives to keep final position in Manbij as SDF advances to capture jihadi border-pocket". ARA News. 9 August 2016. Archived from the original on 11 August 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  229. ^ Izat Charkatli (10 August 2016). "Manbij Field Report: ISIS about to lose largest Aleppo stronghold". al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 12 August 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  230. ^ "ISIS takes civilians hostage in Syrian town". ARA News. 10 August 2016. Archived from the original on 12 August 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  231. ^ "Bodies of 40 ISIS members seized by Manbij fighters". ANF News. 10 August 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  232. ^ "American killed fighting ISIS in Syria". ARA News. 11 August 2016. Archived from the original on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  233. ^ a b c "U.S.-backed forces say launch final assault against Islamic State in Syria's Manbij=". Reuters. 12 August 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  234. ^ "US-Backed Forces Give Hundreds of ISIL Militants Safe Passage Out of Manbij". Fars News. 17 August 2016. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  235. ^ "U.S.-backed forces say launch final assault against Islamic State in Syria's Manbij". Reuters. 12 August 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  236. ^ "Military council created for liberation of al-Bab". Rudaw. 14 August 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  237. ^ "Syria: Thousands return to Manbij following defeat of extremists". Euronews. 14 August 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  238. ^ "Trotz Niederlage in Manbidsch: IS-Miliz sorgt weiter für Angst" (in German). Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. 16 August 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  239. ^ Noam Raydan (14 August 2016). "U.S.-Backed Force Steps Up Efforts to Secure Syria's Manbij After Ousting ISIS". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  240. ^ "Three more villages around Manbij liberated". ANF News. 16 August 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  241. ^ "Syrian Democratic Forces Regain 3 Villages from IS Militants". Latin American Herald Tribune. 16 August 2016. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  242. ^ "Continued clashes in Menbej countryside and advances for SDF in the area". SOHR. 18 August 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  243. ^ "Manbij Military Council takes over the security of Manbij". ANF News. 19 August 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  244. ^ a b "Two more villages liberated, 15 ISIS members killed in Manbij". ANF News. 20 August 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  245. ^ "SDF withdraws from Manbij after liberation, handing city over to local council". aranews. 19 April 2016. Archived from the original on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  246. ^ "Manbij Military Council takes over the security of Manbij". ANF. 19 August 2016.
  247. ^ "Syrian Democratic Forces advance south of Menbeij". al-Masdar News. 21 August 2016. Archived from the original on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  248. ^ "Jarablus Military Council warns the Turkish state". ANF News. 22 August 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  249. ^ "Reports that the Turkish National Security forces assassinated Abdussatar al-Jadir". SOHR. 23 August 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  250. ^ "Jader assassination by Turkish MIT". Hawar News Agency. 23 August 2016. Archived from the original on 23 August 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  251. ^ "Eight villages liberated in the southern countryside of Manbij". ANF News. 22 August 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  252. ^ Mahir Yilmazkaya (24 August 2016). "Liberation operations continue in the southern parts of Manbij". ANF News. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  253. ^ "3 thousand civilians from Jarablus arrive in Manbij in the face of attacks". ANF News. 24 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  254. ^ Erin Cunningham, Liz Sly and Karen DeYoung: "Turkey Sends Planes and Tanks Into Syria to Fight ISIS" Washington Post 24. August 2016
  255. ^ www.whitehouse.gov
  256. ^ "YPG: We will not retreat from west of Euphrates". ANF News. 24 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  257. ^ Izat Charkatli (24 August 2016). "Turkish-backed rebels fight US-backed rebels in Aleppo". al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 25 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  258. ^ "Clashes break out between Turkish-backed rebels and Syrian Democratic Forces". ARA News. 25 August 2016. Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  259. ^ "Kerry Talks Syria With Saudi Prince Ahead of Meeting with Russian Counterpart " Voice of America 25. August 2016
  260. ^ "U.S.-led alliance says Syrian force withdraws to prepare for Raqqa campaign". Reuters. 25 August 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  261. ^ "Syrian Kurdish YPG says it returned to base after Manbij's capture". Reuters. 25 August 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  262. ^ "SDF and rebels advance over IS in Menbej and Jarablis". SOHR. 25 August 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  263. ^ "Two more villages to the south of Manbij liberated". ANF News. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  264. ^ Leith Fadel (27 August 2016). "Kurdish forces advance in east Aleppo amid Turkish disapproval". al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  265. ^ "Manbij MC and Shams Al-Shamal announce support for Jarablus MC". ANF News. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  266. ^ "More commanders of an Islamic movement were killed in Aleppo city's outskirts clashes; the "Islamic state" re- advance in the countryside Manbij". SOHR. 29 August 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  267. ^ "Two mercenaries captivated, ammunitions seized". Hawar News Agency. 4 September 2016. Archived from the original on 7 September 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  268. ^ "Battles Intensifying Between SDF And ISIS In Menbij Countryside Eastern Aleppo". Qasion News. 10 September 2016. Archived from the original on 7 October 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  269. ^ "من نحن؟" [Who are We?] (in Arabic). Syrian National Democratic Alliance. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  270. ^ Enwer Omar (13 October 2016). "Liberated from ISIS suppression, women of Manbij join security forces". ARA News. Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  271. ^ Bethan McKernan (13 October 2016). "Syrian women liberated from Isis are joining the police to protect their city". The Independent. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  272. ^ Tomson, Chris (16 November 2016). "US-backed Kurds seize 9 villages from ISIS while Turkish-backed rebels attack both". al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 4 February 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  273. ^ "A large number of injuries in the continued "Turkish Shelling" on the control areas of Manbij Military Council". SOHR. 23 November 2016.
  274. ^ Eric S. Edelman (13 February 2018): Turkey Is Out of Control. Time for the U.S. to Say So
  275. ^ washingtonexaminer.com Feb 13, 2018: Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatens US forces with 'Ottoman slap'

Bibliography

edit
edit

36°31′36″N 37°57′23″E / 36.5267°N 37.9564°E / 36.5267; 37.9564