People of Manbij continue to rush to liberated areas
People of Manbij escaping from ISIS gangs continue to rush to areas liberated by Manbij Military Assembly and SDF forces.
Manbij Military Assembly stated that that its forces have liberated tens of villages from ISIS gangs during the first phase of ‘Operation Liberate Manbij’ which began on June 1, 2016, and were ready to enter the city center.
Civilians escape Manbij city center as Manbij Military Assembly fighters completed their siege of the city and are preparing to enter Manbij on the 14th day of the operation. Civilians escaping ISIS gangs continue to arrive in areas liberated by Manbij Military Assembly and SDF forces with their livestock.
GANGS USE CIVILIANS AS HUMAN SHIELDS
People of Manbij stated that ISIS gangs use civilians as human shields because they are aware of the sensitive approach of fighters from Manbij Military Assembly and the SDF towards civilians. Civilians stated that ISIS gangs have fled several villages through the use of civilians as human shields, and have been oppressing and torturing the region’s peoples since 2014. Civilians emphasized the gangs’ imposition of their so-called religious laws, and suppressing and torturing civilians since the beginning of the occupation of the region.
‘OUR CITY AND RELATIVES MUST BE LIBERATED’
Manbij Military Assembly fighters have advanced step by step during the Martyr Commander Faysal Ebû Leyla initiative and reached the last phase of the operation that would end ISIS presence in Manbij city center. Civilians in liberated areas await the liberation of Manbij city center and their relatives, and stated that every day under the occupation of ISIS was full of fear, torture and the risk of rape. Civilians in liberated areas emphasized the importance of the liberation of their city and relatives.
FIGHTERS: WE ARE ADVANCING CAREFULLY FOR THE SAFETY OF CIVILIANS
Manbij Military Assembly fighters completed their siege of the city and are preparing to enter Manbij, and have been advancing carefully for the safety of civilians. Fighters stated that they have been placing the civilians that have escaped from Manbij city center in liberated areas despite the limited resources available to them.
