US-backed forces take control of Syrian city after remaining IS fighters leave

Beirut, Aug 13: US-backed forces took full control of Manbij, the northern Syrian city near the Turkish border, after the remaining Islamic State (IS) fighters left, a spokesperson for the group said on Friday (August 12), according to Reuters.

The fighters, who had been holed up in the city, had been using civilians as human shields to thwart the challenge.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) freed over 2,000 civilian hostages who were held by the terrorists, Manbij Military Council---an ally of the SDF---said, according to Reuters.

The council's Sharfan Darwish said the city was under their complete control and they were carried out "sweeping operations". He, however, added that terrorist sleeper cells still posed a threat in Manbij.

The SDF, backed by a US-led coalition, launched its offensive in May and it aims to remove the IS from areas which it controls along the border with Turkey.

Oneindia News