SDF Repels Frequent Turkey-backed SNA Attacks on Syria’s Manbij
MANBIJ, Syria (North Press) – The Manbij Military Council (MMC), a faction of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), announced on Saturday that Turkish drones conducted numerous strikes on the countryside of Manbij in northern Syria.
The attacks, described as intense and persistent, coincided with a Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) offensive on Manbij, as reported by opposition media platforms.
Two Days of Intensified Clashes
The MMC confirmed in a press release that SNA forces have ramped up their assaults on the outskirts of Manbij and nearby villages for two consecutive days. The Council stated that all the attacks were successfully repelled.
One key clash occurred near the village of Andabat, close to the Sajur Crossing. MMC forces reportedly forced SNA fighters to retreat after fierce fighting.
The statement highlighted the active involvement of the Turkish army in directing attacks along several fronts, including the Dayr Hafir line and the Tabqa-Halab road. Turkish drones reportedly targeted the Manbij area at least 20 times during this escalation.
Wider Context in Northern Syria
The ongoing violence in Manbij aligns with a broader campaign by the SNA and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) to seize territory in northwestern Syria.
HTS and its allied factions have gained significant ground in their recent offensive against government-controlled areas. This broader operation has further destabilized northern Syria, drawing in regional powers like Turkey and heightening tensions with SDF forces.