SDF repels attack by Turkish-backed SNA in Syria’s Manbij
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – Manbij Military Council (MMC), affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), repelled on Saturday an attack of the Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, aka Syrian National Army (SNA), on villages in the northern countryside of Manbij region, northern Syria.
The Media Center of the MMC stated that SNA factions launched an attack on the villages of al-Muhsinli and Arab Hassan in the northern countryside of Manbij.
The Military Council repelled the attack, while clashes are still ongoing, according to the media center.
This came following a military operation called “Security Reinforcement” launched by the SDF against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Deir ez-Zor. The SDF later announced the dismissal of commander of Deir ez-Zor Military Council, Ahmad al-Khabil, known as Abu Khawla, from duty, for his involvement in crimes and violations.
The operation led to the eruption of clashes between the SDF and gunmen affiliated with the dismissed leader 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. Several external parties took advantage of the situation and viewed that clashes erupted between the SDF and Arab tribes, which the SDF denied in a statement.
Earlier on the same day, a military source informed North Press that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS – formerly al-Nusra Front) sent 75 militants of the Red Bands faction to back the tribes in the armed conflict in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor Governorate, eastern Syria.
A military source informed North Press that the Red Bands faction is considered the most extremist within the HTS ranks and includes foreign militants who were formerly affiliated with al-Qaeda.
The US-sanctioned Sultan Suleiman Shah Division, aka al-Amshat, affiliated with the SNA, facilitated their access through its checkpoints.
These militants will be deployed alongside the factions of Ahrar al-Sharqiya and al-Amshat from the direction of Awn al-Dadat crossing and the al-Sajur River, according to the source.
On Friday, the SNA launched an attack against the northern and western countryside of Manbij region, killing five children.