SDF repels attacks of Turkey, SNA in Syria’s Manbij
MANBIJ, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced on Thursday repelling all attacks by Turkey and the Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, aka the Syrian National Army (SNA), in Manbij region, northern Syria.
The SDF said in a statement that since Wednesday until the early hours of Thursday morning, the Turkish occupation and its allied factions launched consecutive attacks along Sajur River, targeting the homes of civilians and military posts of Manbij Military Council (MMC) of the SDF.
The statement added that these factions used heavy weapons, and the majority of their attacks focused on the village of Arab Hassan.
It further mentioned that SDF fighters repelled all the attacks, successfully thwarting them and inflicting heavy losses on the SNA factions.
As a result, at least nine militants of those factions were killed, and 11 others were injured. Additionally, the SDF seized a quantity of weapons and ammunition, according to the statement.
Turkey and the SNA factions are seeking to support the Islamic State (ISIS) by displaying individuals carrying ISIS flags during these attacks. Furthermore, they aim to obstruct the “Security Reinforcement” operation.
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 Governorate, eastern Syria, “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 leader and with Nawaf al-Bashir 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.