Syrian Kurds, Arabs join forces to defend Manbij ahead of Turkish military operation
The Syrian Democratic Forces are seeking Arab tribes’ support in Manbij, northeast of Aleppo, ahead of the anticipated Turkish military operation in northern Syria.
ALEPPO, Syria — Turkish armed forces and Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions have mobilized on the outskirts of Manbij, which is under the control of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in the northeastern Aleppo countryside in preparation for an anticipated Turkish military operation in northern Syria.
The Turkish army and FSA factions have recently been targeting SDF positions in Manbij’s surrounding villages with heavy weapons and artillery.
On June 15, the SDF-affiliated Manbij Military Council said it shot down a Turkish drone flying over the area.
At a time when the Turkish-backed Syrian opposition is working to mobilize the popular circles in Aleppo's countryside in support for the expected Turkish military operation, the SDF is trying to mobilize all its military, popular and tribal capabilities, especially in Manbij, where the SDF allowed Syrian government forces to send military reinforcements. Bashar al-Assad's forces were recently deployed to several posts on the fronts against the FSA in Aleppo countryside.
