People in villages and towns have started organising in every aspect of life, primarily in assemblies and they define the liberated zones as symbols of fraternity and the common life.

Manbij and its surroundings have been associated with ISIS after the gangs’ invasion in 2014, but the people are reorganising and rebuilding life in every aspect now.

Villagers in villages to the south of Manbij say their homes were looted dozens of times after the invasion by the ISIS gangs and that the gangs confiscated the crops villagers grew to sustain themselves under the name “tax”.

The villagers say that the gangs have also looted and burned places of worship and all shops and ateliers have been looted, their doors broken down, and many houses were destroyed using explosives.

The people, fed up with beheadings, torture, looting and destruction of the ISIS gangs, sought to call for help from the Manbij Military Council. And Manbij Military Council launched a liberation operation on June 1 because of this high demand.

In the operation, Manbij Military Council fighters have cleared dozens of villages and hamlets of ISIS gangs and liberated them.

Then expert units came to clear the mines and traps laid out in the roads, homes and in the land. These efforts still continue in some spots.

PEOPLE RETURN TO THEIR HOMES IN SAFETY

Security precautions have been increased in the villages to ensure safe return for the people.

People were allowed to return to their homes after mines and traps have been cleared. The villagers returned home and started organising life with a new enthusiasm.

With the return of the people, Manbij Military Council fighters set up control points in villages to ensure security.

VILLAGERS: “WE ARE REBUILDING LIFE”

People in the villages to the south of Manbij say they are happy ISIS gangs have been cleared of their region and the villages are liberated, and from now on they want to take their place under the Manbij Military Council’s roof and defend their towns and villages.

Abû Xalid, a southern villager from Manbij, says the cultivated farmland were looted under ISIS invasion under the guise of “tax”, but now that their villages are liberated, they can grow and and harvest crops freely.

Abû Xalid says the Manbij Military Council fighters are ready for any extraordinary circumstances and the necessary security precautions are being implemented without a hitch.

Xalid says they are happy with this situation, and that drinking water and fuel for generators are provided by the Manbij People’s Council.

Despite the widespread looting and serious damage done to property, the people are now rebuilding their life with renewed and increased faith and solidarity, and they continue the harvest.