Report: Arab, Kurd Fighters Take IS Stronghold in Syria
A coalition of Arab and Kurdish fighters is reported to have taken «almost complete control» of a strategic northern Syrian city that was a stronghold of the Islamic State group.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF – which includes Arab and Kurdish fighters – seized the city of Manbij Saturday and «are combing the city in search of the last remaining jihadists.»
The SDF, backed by airstrikes from U.S. special forces, launched its campaign to take Manbij two months ago with the goal of ousting Islamic State militants from a last stretch of the Syrian-Turkish border.
Mustafa Bali, a Syria-based Kurdish activist, told The Associated Press Saturday «it’s just a matter of time» before the fighters have complete control of the city.