The people of Manbij continue with their daily life, yet they express anger over dirty deals made over their town. Turkey, in order to get a greenlight for occupying Manbij, now is holding meetings both with Moscow and Washington.

After Turkish state threatened to attack and occupy the North and East Syria, and the United States announced the withdrawal of their forces from Syria, intense political, diplomatic and military talks are taking place near Manbij. Following the deployment of a large number of their army and affiliated mercenaries on the border with Al-Bab’s Arimah town, both Syrian government and Russian forces also increased their military presence in the same region.

After a tripartite meeting between Syrian government, North and East Syria Self-Administration and Russian representatives, the Syrian army deployed their forces to Arimah town in a coordinated operation with Manbij Military Council (MMC).

Daily life continues in Manbij

With the rise of Syrian Civil War, the city of Manbij was controlled by the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in 2012. However in 2014, the ISIS terrorists claimed control of the city from the FSA. On August 15, 2016, Manbij was finally liberated by the Manbij Military Council (MMC) in a campaign supported by the People’s/Women’s Protection Units (YPG/YPJ). Today, while daily life has not stopped in the city, the people of Manbij say that they will not allow an occupation by Turkey.

The people are taking adequate measures

Although Turkey’s special warfare media tries to portrait a panic situation in Manbij, yet the people continue with their normal life. “There is no defect in the security level in our city. We are living peacefully, Turkish threats and escalation of military forces on the border are causing economic problems to our work, yet our people are preparing and taking required measure,” said Muhammad Abu Abdullah, a shopkeeper in Manbij.

‘We will not allow history to be repeated’

“We will not allow a new Ottoman empire. Turkish threats are still in place, but we will not allow history to be repeated. We will not allow another Ottoman empire to occupy or rule our lands. We were finally liberated from over two years of ISIS’ darkness, we will not allow that to reoccur,” said Doha Ashriyat, the co-chair of Committee of Art and Culture in Manbij.

‘We will not surrender’

Ashriyat added: “We will not allow Syrian soil to be occupied, this is our message to the Turkish state. Our people are organized and they are well aware of their history, they know the present and work for their future. Here we have created a new life based upon the Democratic Nation idea. Our people are living in peace, we will not surrender our achievements.”

Turkish state is after chaos

“The Turkish state is trying to ignite a sectarian conflict between the Syrian people, and turn them against each other. After the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) liberated Manbij, a tolerant way of life has been established based of fraternity between the Arabs, Turkmen, Kurd and Charcasians. The goal of the Turkish state is to destroy this brotherhood and the democracy behind it,” said Jalil Khalil Ibrahim, the co-mayor of Manbij.

Manbij in history

With the rise of Syrian Civil War, the city of Manbij was controlled by the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in 2012. However in 2014, the ISIS terrorists claimed control of the city from the FSA.

Starting from June 1, 2016, the Manbij Military Council and the YPG/YPJ combatants launched the campaign to liberate Manbij. On August 15, 2016, Manbij was fully cleared of ISIS terrorists.

The civil administration of Manbij was established in April 20, 2016, and was temporarily stationed at Koabne’s Sirrin town. Prior to the liberation of the city, the civil council had 43 members on board, after it’s liberation, the number rose to 132.

During a conference on February 20, 2017, Manbij Civilian Council was officially announced with 132 members. The civil council was formed of one Armenian, one Chechen, 8 Charcasians, 11 Turkmen, 40 Kurds and 71 Arabs.

In Syria’s Aleppo province, Manbij city is located 90 kilometers north of Aleppo, 40 kilometers south of Jarabulus, 65 kilometers west of Kobane and 45 kilometers east of Al-Bab.

Specifically by the Mongolians, Manbij has been occupied 7 times in history. Assyrians, Arabs, Romans and Ottomanians have ruled here. In 1516 the Battle of Marj Dabiq took place in north Aleppo and opened the door to Ottomanian rule. In the same manner, today Turkey wants to occupy Manbij.