Civilians from Manbij escaping ISIS gangs continue to arrive at areas liberated by the Manbij Military Council and SDF fighters. Manbij Military Council forces, which have liberated tens of villages from the gangs since the beginning of the operation on June 1, continue to prepare for entering the city center. Civilians from Manbij escaping ISIS gangs continue to seek refuge in liberated areas with their belongings and livestock.

‘ISIS GANGS USE CIVILIANS AS HUMAN SHIELDS’

Many civilians are trapped in the city because ISIS gangs open fire on civilians trying to leave Manbij. The civilians that have managed to escape the city have told Manbij Military Council and SDF forces that ISIS gangs use civilians as human shields. Civilians in liberated areas also condemned ISIS oppression, cruelty, torture and massacres in Manbij over the past 3 years.

FIGHTERS: WE ARE ACTING CAREFULLY

Manbij Military Council fighters stated that preparations for the second phase of the operation to liberate Manbij are nearly complete, but council forces have not yet entered the city center and are acting carefully for the safety of civilians. Council forces recalled the horrors that civilians experienced in Manbij at the hands of ISIS gangs, and stated that they were using all of their limited resources in order to provide basic life supplies to civilians in liberated areas.