Manbij offensive

Manbij offensive (2016)
Part of the Rojava–Islamist conflict and the American-led intervention in the Syrian Civil War

Map showing SDF territorial gains during the offensive
Date31 May – 27 August 2016
(2 months, 3 weeks and 6 days)
Location
Result

Major SDF victory

  • SDF captures ~105 villages and farms by 14 June[6]
  • SDF captures Manbij city by 12 August[7][8]
  • SDF secures defensive line in the northern countryside by 21 August,[9] and continues offensive in the southern countryside until 27 August[9]
  • Formation of Al-Bab Military Council
Belligerents

Syrian Democratic Forces
International Freedom Battalion
YBŞ[1]
YJÊ[1]
Supported by:
CJTF–OIR[2][3]

Islamic State Islamic State
Commanders and leaders
Adnan Abu Amjad[10]
(Council general commander & Northern Sun Battalion deputy commander)[11]
Abu Layla (DOW)[12]
(Northern Sun Battalion commander)
Yousif Abdo Sa'don (POW)[13]
(Northern Sun Battalion security officer, alleged)
Botan Türkmeni[14]
(Manbij Revolutionaries Battalion commander)
Mustafa Manbij[15][16]
(Manbij Revolutionaries Battalion commander)
Rojda Felat[17]
(YPJ commander)
Abdel Sattar al-Jader [18]
(Jarabulus Military Council and Euphrates Jarabulus Brigades chief commander)
Muhammad Ahmed[19]
(Jarabulus Military Council commander)
Haqi Kobani[20]
(YPG commander)[21]
Abdelaziz Yunis[22]
(SDF senior commander)
Merxas Kobanê[23]
(SDF commander)
Mohammed Abu Amdil[24]
(SDF commander)
Habun Osman[25]
(SDF commander)
Şervan Afrin[26]
(SDF commander)
Diyar Şexler[26]
(SDF commander)
Heval Shiyar[27]
(SDF commander)
Judi Derek[28]
(SDF commander)
"Koçber"[1]
(YJÊ commander)
Islamic State Osama al-Tunisi [29]
(Emir of Manbij)
Abu Khalid al-Tunisi [30]
(1st replacement Emir of Manbij)
Abu Omaar al-Muhajiri[31]
(2nd replacement Emir of Manbij)
Abu Yahya al-Shami[32][33]
(commander of Manbij by August)
Abu Muhamad al-Kahtani [34]
(Emir in Manbij)
Unknown Russian emir in Manbij[35]
Islamic State Dahham al-Hussein [36]
(Emir of Um Mayyal)
Abu Hamza al-Ansari [37]
(ISIL senior leader)
Abu Suheyl El-Maarawî [38]
(commander of western Manbij)
Abu Aisha [39]
(commander of eastern Manbij)
Abu Talha al-Shami [40]
(ISIL senior commander)
Abu Hadid [40]
(ISIL senior commander)
Abu al-Hayjaa [41]
(Hisba police chief of Manbij)
Islamic State Abu Huzaifa al-Ordoni [42]
(ISIL field commander)
Islamic State Hasan Rimo [42]
(pro-ISIL tribal leader)
Islamic State Safi Yahiya Rajab [43]
(security official of Manbij)
Islamic State Unknown Moroccan ISIL field commander [44]
Islamic State Leading Sharia official of Manbij [44][45]
Islamic State Ezzit Raad [46]
(prominent battalion commander)
Units involved

Syrian Democratic Forces

International Freedom Battalion

Asayish[54]
Self-Defense Forces (HXP)[1]
Civilian Defense Force (HPC)[1]
Khabour Guards[55]
United States United States Armed Forces

United Kingdom British SOF (alleged)[60]
France French SOF[61]
Germany German KSK[4] (denied by Germany)[5]

Military of ISIL

Strength

2,900–12,000 fighters[64][65][66]

Germany c. 50[68]

Several thousand fighters

Casualties and losses
315 killed (SOHR claim)[71]
1,650 killed (ISIL claim)[72]
264 killed (SDF claim)[73]
700–1,000 killed (other claims)[74]
1,026 killed (SOHR claim)[71]
400 killed (ISIL claim)[72]
4,180 killed, 112 captured (SDF claim)[73]
444 civilians killed[71] and 2,000+ abducted[75]
~78,000 civilians displaced[76][77][78]

The Manbij offensive, code-named Operation Martyr and Commander Faysal Abu Layla by the SDF, was a 2016 military offensive operation by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to capture the city of Manbij from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and eventually, the ISIL-held areas through Al-Bab to Herbel, in the area referred to as the "Manbij Pocket"[n 1][80] in the northern Aleppo Governorate.[81] The main goal of the offensive was to cut off ISIL's last supply routes from Turkey, and to prevent ISIL fighters from escaping across the Syria-Turkey border.[58][82][83] For the first five days of the offensive, the US-led coalition conducted over 55 airstrikes in support of the SDF.[82] After capturing Manbij city on 12 August, the SDF announced that the offensive would continue until the whole countryside around Manbij was captured,[1] though the offensive effectively ended shortly after the Turkish Armed Forces initiated Operation Euphrates Shield to prevent the SDF uniting the regions of Rojava.[84]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Manbij operation will continue until ISIS is completely expelled". ANF News. 15 August 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  2. ^ "Syria Kurds preparing Manbij offensive: report". Now. 30 March 2016. Archived from the original on 22 April 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  3. ^ "US airstrikes pave way for PYD, regime advance in northern Syria". Daily Sabah. 30 March 2016.
  4. ^ a b "American, German, and French forces are backing up SDF in Menbej battle". SOHR. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Damascus says German special forces in Syria, Germany denies". Reuters. Reuters. 15 June 2016. Archived from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  6. ^ "Intense airstrikes by the coalition on Manbij and advancement for The Syria Democratic Forces in the vicinity of the city". SOHR. 14 June 2016.
  7. ^ "Syria rebels 'cut off IS escape route' through Manbij". BBC. 12 August 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  8. ^ Charkatli, Izat (12 August 2016). "SDF captures ISIS's largest stronghold in Aleppo". Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  9. ^ a b "Syrian Democratic Forces secure defense lines north Manbij to prevent ISIS infiltration". ARA News. 21 August 2016. Archived from the original on 23 August 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  10. ^ "Kurds set up new civilian councill for recapturing Syria's Manbij from ISIS". ARA News. 6 April 2016. Archived from the original on 7 April 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  11. ^ "SDF plays central role in Syrian civil war" (PDF). Jane's Intelligence Review. January 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 April 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  12. ^ "Top Syrian Kurdish commander killed in push on IS-held Raqqa". Associated Press. 5 June 2016.
  13. ^ Zhelwan Z. Wali (5 July 2016). "Brother of Abu Layla captured by ISIS". Rudaw. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  14. ^ Mahir Yilmazkaya (11 August 2016). "Turkmen Commander: Manbij operation an initiative for joint and free life". ANF News. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  15. ^ a b "Mıstefa Minbic: It is impossible for ISIS gangs to escape". ANF News. 19 June 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  16. ^ Akram Barakat (2 August 2016). "80% of Manbij is liberated, 50 thousand civilians freed". Hawar News Agency. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  17. ^ Hisham Arafat (12 December 2016). "Kurdish woman fight double battles against terrorism, patriarchy". Kurdistan24. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  18. ^ Cite error: The named reference Masdar al-Jader was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  19. ^ "Kurdish-backed council says Turkey's intervention to make Syrian town "grave for Erdogan troops"". ARA News. 26 August 2016. Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  20. ^ "SDF fighters: The siege will end up with the liberation of Manbij". ANF News. 11 June 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  21. ^ Zana Omar (19 November 2015). "New Fighting Alliance in Syria Putting up Fight Against IS". Voice of America. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  22. ^ Akram Barakat (7 August 2016). "SDF spokesman denies liberation of jihadi border pocket north Syria". ARA News. Archived from the original on 10 August 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  23. ^ "We will attain victory and freedom in the 2nd phase of Manbij Operation". ANF News. 13 June 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  24. ^ Cite error: The named reference auto was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  25. ^ "US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces advance against ISIS near Manbij, liberate eight villages". ARA News. 4 June 2016. Archived from the original on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  26. ^ a b "SDF commanders: We will liberate Manbij and present it to the people". ANF News. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  27. ^ "Second ISIS counterattack fails to break siege on Manbij". ARA News. 20 June 2016. Archived from the original on 22 June 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  28. ^ "Goals of IS late attack". Hawar News Agency. 4 July 2016. Archived from the original on 4 July 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  29. ^ Adra, Zen (9 June 2016). "US-backed fighters tighten grip on Manbij, kill top ISIS Emir – Map Update". al-masdar News. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  30. ^ "ISIS Emir killed under SDF fire north Syria". ARA News. 10 July 2016. Archived from the original on 13 July 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  31. ^ "IS prince killed in Manbij". Hawar News Agency. 9 July 2016. Archived from the original on 12 July 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  32. ^ Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (17 September 2016). "Archive of Islamic State Administrative Documents (continued...again) - Specimen 24A: Letter from the Delegated Committee to an Abu Yahya al-Shami in Manbij, August 2016".
  33. ^ Jack Moore; Rena Netjes (15 October 2016). "Exclusive: Private ISIS Letter Outlines Group's Merciless Tactics ahead of Mosul Battle". Newsweek.
  34. ^ "Manbij: a prince killed, explosives' center destroyed". Hawar News Agency. 12 July 2016. Archived from the original on 12 July 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  35. ^ "Manbij fighters seize a Russian prince's house". Hawar News Agency. 28 June 2016. Archived from the original on 1 July 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  36. ^ "Islamic State jihadi commander killed in clashes with Syrian Democratic Forces". ARA News. 12 June 2016. Archived from the original on 13 June 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  37. ^ "ISIS senior jihadi killed in US strike north Syria". ARA News. 20 June 2016. Archived from the original on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  38. ^ "15 ISIS gangs and 1 commander killed in Manbij". ANF News. 11 July 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  39. ^ "Security prince and the Eastern Front official killed". Hawar News Agency. 26 July 2016. Archived from the original on 26 July 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  40. ^ a b "Aleppo: Senior ISIL Commanders Killed in Clashes with SDF near Manbij". Farsnews. 18 June 2016. Archived from the original on 20 June 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  41. ^ a b "ISIS chief of Hisba police killed in clashes with Syrian Democratic Forces". ARA News. 16 June 2016. Archived from the original on 15 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  42. ^ a b c "IS commander killed in Jarablos". Washington Kurdish Institute. 6 June 2016. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  43. ^ "An IS security official is killed". Hawar News Agency. 10 July 2016. Archived from the original on 10 July 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  44. ^ a b "SDF have Manbij surrounded". Rudaw. 11 June 2016.
  45. ^ "Aerial bombardment targets Menbej and continued clashes around the city". SOHR. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  46. ^ James Dowling (6 September 2016). "IS says Melbourne terrorist Ezzit Raad killed fighting for terror group". Herald Sun. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  47. ^ a b c "The formation of a new Manbij Military Council to expel Daesh from Manbij, Aleppo". All4Syria. 2 April 2016.
  48. ^ Wladimir van Wilgenburg; Jan Mohammed (28 August 2016). "Conflict between US-led coalition allies increases, one Turkish soldier killed". ARA News. Archived from the original on 21 May 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  49. ^ Johannes de Jong (26 June 2016). "Brave Local Christians Fighting ISIS Need Guns and Bullets". The Stream. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  50. ^ "Airstrikes by coalition's warplanes accompany the ongoing clashes in Manbij". SOHR. 18 June 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  51. ^ a b c d "The military council of Jarablos declared". Hawar News Agency. 22 August 2016. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  52. ^ "MLKP fighter Raperin Dicle falls during Manbij operation". ANF News. 26 June 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  53. ^ "BÖG savaşçısı Eylem Ataş Minbic'te şehit düştü". Etkin Haber Ajansı. 28 June 2016. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  54. ^ "Manbij Military Council: 142 gang members have been killed". ANF News. 21 June 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  55. ^ Rashid (2018), p. 37.
  56. ^ Wladimir van Wilgenburg (11 April 2017). "US Air Force: 40% of strikes on Syria's Manbij carried out by drones". ARA News. Archived from the original on 12 April 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  57. ^ "U.S.-Backed Syria Forces Launch Offensive For ISIS-Held Manbij Pocket". Newsweek. June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  58. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference launch offensive was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  59. ^ "US-backed fighters close in on IS Syria bastion Manbij". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  60. ^ "Syria conflict: On the frontline in battle for IS-held Manbij". BBC News. 15 June 2016.
  61. ^ "France admits special forces are advising Syrian rebels – France – Radio France Internationale". 9 June 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  62. ^ Zen Adra (14 August 2016). "ISIS reportedly attacked U.S. base in northern Syria". al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 4 July 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  63. ^ Joanna Paraszczuk (7 August 2016). "Notes from Manbij - A poem". From Chechnya to Syria. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  64. ^ a b c "US coalition spokesman: Arabs are leading Manbij campaign, not Kurds – ARA News". 4 June 2016. Archived from the original on 6 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  65. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference bastion was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  66. ^ a b c "Residents desperate as anti-IS forces move on Manbij". Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  67. ^ Cite error: The named reference reach was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  68. ^ "New details in the German, American and French forces support for The Syria Democratic Forces in the northeastern countryside of Aleppo". SOHR. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  69. ^ "El Pentágono no ve riesgo de choque en Siria con fuerzas y aliados de Asad". 8 June 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  70. ^ Tomson, Chris (9 June 2016). "ISIS suffers new territorial losses in eastern Aleppo – Map update". al-masdar News. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  71. ^ a b c The third US citizen fighter is killed in Manbij area and casualty number rises to about 1800 civilians and fighters
  72. ^ a b Charkatli, Izat (22 July 2016). "SDF advancing on Manbij's city center: Field Report". Archived from the original on 23 October 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  73. ^ a b "The results of Manbij liberation announced". Hawar News Agency. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  74. ^ America’s Favorite Syrian Militia Rules With an Iron Fist
  75. ^ Cite error: The named reference DW was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  76. ^ Cite error: The named reference manbijsiege was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  77. ^ "UN warns Manbij battle could uproot more than 200,000 Syrians". Hürriyet Daily News. 7 June 2016.
  78. ^ "Arab-Kurdish alliance savors a victory over ISIS after two months of ferocious fighting".
  79. ^ "Tribal leaders in northern Aleppo call on US-backed SDF forces to liberate their areas from ISIS – ARA News". 23 May 2016. Archived from the original on 27 May 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  80. ^ "Revisiting Train-and-Equip in Syria to Clear the Manbij Pocket". 30 May 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  81. ^ a b "Fights to Retake Fallujah, Manbij City From ISIL Begin". Archived from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  82. ^ "Carter says Islamic State used Manbij to plot against U.S., Europe, Turkey". Reuters. 2 June 2016. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  83. ^ "Turkey deploys more tanks in Syria, warns Kurdish YPG".


Cite error: There are <ref group=n> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=n}} template (see the help page).