Manbij Military Council reported in a written statement that the ISIS gangs encircled in Manbij city center are using the trapped civilians as a shield to protect themselves, as they are aware of the end awaiting them and have no escapeway. The Council said that the civilians that want to flee the city are being massacred by the gangs.

Remarking that the Operation Martyr Commander Faysal Abu Leyla continued achieving more victories within the city, added to that the liberation of its neighborhoods from the remains of ISIS mercenaries, the Council said;” This comes after a tightened siege was imposed on them, and are left to face an inevitable fate which they cannot escape, and despicably using civilians as human shields to protect themselves, and have been committing mass massacres against families. As Manbij Military Council, we remain committed to moral principles and determined to ensure their safety of life and rescue them. For this reason, we are developing a new initiative to assure their safety in accordance with the law of war.”

The Council pointed out that the main goal of this initiative is to drive the civilians from the battle field, for which purpose the Council fighters will form a safe corridor and evacuate the civilians from the city in line with the safety rules, which were listed as follows;

"- Our forces will evacuate all the civilians in the city, including those wounded, through safe corridors and enabled access to liberated areas.

- In return of that, our forces will allow the wounded gang members and also those wanting to leave the city, and send them towards the areas held by ISIS.

- All the civilians held by the ISIS groups in Manbij will be released.

- To implement this initiative and put it into action, and agreeing on its details, ISIS is to send a delegation of Manbij notables to represent Manbij residents to discuss this matter.

We assure through this initiative our commitment to international laws and customs concerning conflicts, especially Geneva agreement and protocols in this context.

We also assure our respect of ethical principles and protection of the lives of people, which is the major aim of our free revolution."