SDF says 45 SNA, ISIS militants killed, injured in Syria’s Manbij
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Manbij Military Council (MMC) of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced on Wednesday the killing and injury of 45 militants of the Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, known as the Syrian National Army (SNA), in Manbij region, northern Syria.
The MMC said their forces repelled an attack launched by the SNA factions on the northern countryside of Manbij, killing and injuring many including Islamic State (ISIS) militants.
The SDF Media Center stated they killed more than 15 SNA militants and injured about 30 others who attacked the village of al-Boghaz in the north of Manbij, adding they confirmed that several ISIS militants were found among the dead, which was evident from ISIS emblems on their clothes.
“The Turkish-backed armed groups have published footages and photos of the terrorists who attacked Manbij. These terrorists have identified themselves as tribal fighters. However, what is even more concerning is that they are seen wearing badges associated with ISIS,” the statement said.
ISIS militants also used vehicles belonging to SNA factions, “These so-called tribal fighters are, in reality, former members of al-Nusra and ISIS terrorists, who are now resurging under a different guise,” the Media Center noted.
The SDF also destroyed two military vehicles and seized many weapons and ammunition left behind by militants who fled.
Since the beginning of September, the northern and western countryside of Manbij have been attacked by SNA factions, following the clashes that erupted between the SDF and gunmen affiliated with Syrian government forces and Iranian-backed militias in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, eastern Syria, who were propagated by many as fighting between SDF and Arab tribes.
On Aug. 27, the SDF launched a military operation called “Security Reinforcement” with the support of the US-led Global Coalition on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, specifically in Deir ez-Zor, “to eradicate ISIS sleeper cells, pursue criminals responsible for perpetrating injustices against the local population, and to track down smugglers who exploit the populace’s livelihoods.”
On Aug. 30, the SDF announced the dismissal of commander of Deir ez-Zor Military Council, Ahmad al-Khabil, known as Abu Khawla, from duty, for his involvement “in multiple crimes and violations, including communication and coordination with external entities hostile to the revolution, committing criminal offenses and engaging in drug trafficking, mismanaging of the security situation, his negative role in increasing the activities of ISIS cells,” according to the SDF.
The operation led to the eruption of clashes between the SDF and gunmen affiliated with the dismissed leaders and with Nawaf al-Bashir, leader of al-Baggara tribe and a pro-Iranian figure whose groups are active in the western bank of the Euphrates which is under the control of the Syrian government forces and Iranian-backed militias.