Fierce clashes erupt as Turkish-backed SNA factions attack Syria’s Manbij
MANBIJ, Syria (North Press) – Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, aka the Syrian National Army (SNA), launched on Sunday a fierce assault on the city of Manbij, northern Syria, attacking from three strategic directions.
A military source in Manbij said that Turkish-backed SNA factions targeted key areas near the Sajur River in the northern countryside, the town of Arima in the south, and near the village of al-Khafsah in the southwest.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) confirmed that clashes broke out between the Manbij Military Council, a component of the SDF, and the SNA factions at the southern and western entrances to the city.
Local sources revealed that SNA militants managed to infiltrate the southern entrance of Manbij, where they took several civilians hostage.
Ilham Ahmad, co-chair of the Foreign Relations Department in the Autonomous Administration on North and East Syria (AANES), condemned the attack, stating that Turkey aims to occupy Manbij.