Turkish forces shell two villages in Syria’s Manbij
MANBIJ, Syria (North Press) – On Tuesday, Turkish forces and their affiliated armed opposition factions, known as Syrian National Army (SNA), shelled two villages in the west of Manbij city, northern Syria, with mortars.
A military source told North Press that four mortar shells fell on the outskirts of the village of al-Jamousiyah and that of al-Asaliyah, some 20 km west of Manbij. No damages were reported.
The shells were fired from the Turkish base in the village of al-Yashli, west of Manbij, according to the source.
Since September 17, the Turkish forces have increased their shelling on border areas in northern Syria.
The city of Manbij, east of Aleppo, is one of the most important industrial centers in northern Syria, as it is a transportation hub and sits on a commercial road linking the Autonomous Administration held areas with those of the Syrian government, in addition to opposition-held areas in northern Syria.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) supported by the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS liberated Manbij from ISIS in 2016 following fierce battles.
Following its liberation from ISIS, the Arabs, Kurds, Circassians and Turkmen, who constitute the fabric of Manbij, established their own administration under the name of Democratic Civil Administration of Manbij and its Countryside to run the affairs of their region. Then, this administration joined the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES).