Yesterday, the Islamic State pushed back around Manbij city, recapturing several sites from the U.S. backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Thus, ISIS regained control of the villages of Wuraydah (far west), Ayn al-Nakhil (northeast), Tall Yasti (northeast) and Hudhud (northeast) on the outskirts of Manbij city.
Furthermore, the Islamic State launched two suicide trucks (VBIED) towards SDF positions near Omriyah and Khirbat al-Hisan, killing a number of mostly Kurdish SDF fighters.
ISIS is attempting to break the siege on Manbij and reconnect the city to the Islamic State mainland.
Hundreds of ISIS fighters withdrew to Manbij city during the SDF’s two-week offensive in the northeastern Aleppo governorate.
Upwards of 2,000 Islamic State fighters remain held up at Manbij; nevertheless, the SDF has the Islamic State outnumbered at least 2 to 1.
Meanwhile, according to a U.S. official, a total of 11 coalition airstrikes struck Manbij and its outskirts yesterday, destroying four ISIS vehicles and four ISIS mortar positions.
600 civilians were also said to have been evacuated south of Manbij city yesterday, although tens of thousands remain trapped inside the city.
SDF commanders have said they are concerned about launching the final assault on Manbij over potential collateral damage on the city’s residents.
Map credits to deSyracuse.
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