Syrian Kurdish-led forces liberate nearly 90% of Manbij

MANBIJ, Syria (Kurdistan24) – On Thursday, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Manbij Military Council (MMC) announced they have gained control of the city center of the Syrian northern city of Manbij, a key Islamic State (IS) stronghold northwest of Aleppo.

Kurdistan24 correspondent embedded with the Kurdish-led, US-backed forces reported that the city center of Manbij has been liberated and only about 10 percent of the town is held by IS.

Several fighters of the SDF and MMC who spoke to Kurdistan24 on condition of anonymity said that they have been fighting in the center of the town for about three days.

“Our forces are advancing rapidly and the terrorists are retreating, but we are worried about the civilians,” said an MMC fighter.

Another SDF fighter said on Friday that one strategic part of the town center called Batta Square has been liberated in the morning.

Batta Square is at the south of the center of Manbij.

The fighters who spoke to Kurdistan24 wanted to remain anonymous for security and military reasons, and also because they are expected not to give detailed information to media until an official statement is released by their senior commanders.

Regarding the casualties of the ongoing fighting in Manbij for last month, the Syrian Kurdish forces of People’s Protection Units (YPG) said in a statement issued on Thursday that 242 IS insurgents were killed in July.

The YPG statement added that the Kurdish-led forces lost 18 fighters in July.  

On May 31, MMC and SDF launched the Manbij operation.

Two months ago, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Manbij Military Council (MMC) besieged Manbij  and liberated western side of the city with air support from the US-led coalition airstrikes.

Editing by Ava Homa