A new page in the history of the war in Syria was turned with the capture of Aleppo by the HTS, the successor to Al-Nusra, in an invasion orchestrated by Turkey. The HTS is now marching on Hama and Homs. Nevertheless, there are only occasional clashes between the jihadists and the Syrian army at the moment. Syria has once again become the scene of international struggles for distribution. The Turkish state is particularly targeting the city of Manbij. Manbij is considered an important centre near the Turkish border and on the Euphrates.

The multi-ethnic city was a strategic centre for ISIS. Manbij was used to smuggle jihadists, weapons and logistics into the country, while ISIS supplied Turkey with oil in return. After the liberation by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in 2016 in a large-scale offensive, the regional centre of ISIS’ reign of terror was transformed into a city characterised by democratic and multicultural coexistence. Step by step, the paradigm of women's liberation was also implemented in Manbij. The AKP/MHP regime in Ankara saw the defeat of ISIS in Manbij as its own defeat. While Ankara did nothing against ISIS in Manbij and even supported it with all its might, there has not been a moment in the eight years since the liberation when there were no attacks or threats from the Turkish state and its mercenaries. It is therefore only logical that the Turkish state is using the current situation to occupy Manbij as well, to destroy the autonomous administration and to expel the Kurdish population. Since the Aleppo invasion on 27 November, attacks on Manbij have intensified and expanded.

The Turkish state seems to want to repeat the invasion of Aleppo, during which the city was handed over to the jihadists without a fight, in Manbij. This attack is being prepared by intensive psychological warfare. The message is being spread that the city has been abandoned and that the military council of Manbij has retreated. However, the opposite is the case. The rumours are aimed at frightening people and causing them to flee the canton.

In particular, the Turkish state media spread such rumours with the help of their ‘correspondents’ stationed in occupied Jarablus. ANF has made recordings in Manbij that show the real situation in the city. The images clearly show that, contrary to the disinformation and threats of attack, life goes on. The streets and neighbourhoods are lively and the self-government and internal security forces are active, while the military council is taking over the external defence of the canton.

The military council of Manbij repeatedly responds directly to attempts by mercenaries loyal to Turkey to enter villages in the western part of the canton. In the last few days, more than ten attackers have been killed in skirmishes of this kind. Just yesterday, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported that an attack on Manbij near Dêr Hafirê was repelled. Several jihadists were also killed or injured in the process. The SDF stated that the military councils of Manbij and Tabqa are on standby to defend the region against all attacks. Residents of Manbij told ANF that such attacks have been going on for eight years and that they have nevertheless built and organised their lives in the canton.

Nevertheless, the special war propaganda shows that Manbij is in the sights of the Turkish-jihadist invasion and that a possible major attack is imminent. Therefore, international solidarity with Manbij is especially important. Because moral and practical support is an important way to break through the psychological warfare and strengthen the resistance.