Syria: Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) advance towards Manbij city centre
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) made further advances against Islamic State (ISIS) militants on Thursday, advancing to within just two kilometres from the city centre.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor reported that the fighters were engaging ISIS militants in heavy clashes in Manbij’s western districts, only two kilometres from the city centre.
This marks the first time the SDF, a coalition of forces dominated by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), entered Manbij after capturing surrounding villages and farmland and laying siege to the city.
Despite launching vicious counter-attacks against SDF positions, ISIS has been unable to break the siege and is steadily losing ground.