Civilians in Syria’s Manbij demand protection amid escalating conflict
MANBIJ, Syria (North Press) – Residents of Manbij in northern Syria staged on Wednesday a protest urging the Syrian Caretaker Government in Damascus to ensure they do not become collateral damage in the region’s ongoing international conflicts.
In the town of Abu Qalqal, south of Manbij, demonstrators gathered, holding banners that read “Yes to Peace” and “Protect Vital Infrastructure: Tishrin Dam.”
Amid intensifying clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on one side and Turkish-backed factions on the other, many residents from villages near Tishrin Dam have been forced to flee their homes.
The region surrounding the Euphrates River—from Tishrin Dam to the Qaraqozaq Bridge and the southern countryside of Kobani—has witnessed ongoing shelling between both warring factions.
The latest attack occurred on March 17 when Turkish strikes targeted southern Kobani, killing ten members of a single family, most of whom were children.
Protesters are calling on the Syrian government to take responsibility for protecting civilians and to put an end to the continuous violations against the local population. Their primary demand is an immediate ceasefire to prevent further casualties and destruction.