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Syrian Democratic Forces Predict Liberation of the City of Manbij Soon

© REUTERS / Rodi SaidSyria Democratic Forces (SDF) ride vehicles along a road near Manbij, in Aleppo Governorate, Syria, June 25, 2016.
Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) ride vehicles along a road near Manbij, in Aleppo Governorate, Syria, June 25, 2016. - Sputnik International
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The operation to liberate the Syrian city of Manbij from Daesh terrorists has been going on for 70 days. According to a representative of Syrian Democratic Forces, the military operation is currently in its final stage.

Fighters of the Manbij Military Council and the Syrian Democratic Forces gather in the southern rural area of Manbij, in Aleppo Governorate, Syria. file photo - Sputnik International
Syrian Democratic Forces Seize Strategic Locations in Daesh-Held Manbij
In an interview Sputnik, Abdulaziz Yunus commented on the situation in the city and said that in the near future the city will be fully liberated.

A few areas of the city have been recently freed as result of the ongoing armed clashes between Syrian forces and jihadists, he stated.

"We are in the heart of the city, clashes are going on. Although the city has not yet been completely liberated, there are very few areas controlled by jihadists. In fact, it's two blocks and a few streets. In one of the quarters, the militants have been encircled on a square of 200m2," Yunus said.

"According to our estimates, there are about 120 Daesh militants in the city. They either surrender, or will be destroyed. We hope to fully liberate the city in the coming days," he added.

A few days ago, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance of militias was reported to have taken control of strategic locations in the northern Syrian city of Manbij, which is partially held by Daesh, the SDF's press service said in a statement Thursday. It was added in the statement that SDF militia forces have also liberated Al-Tall district of the city.

"In the central part of the city there are still 4,000 civilians, including women, children and the elderly. Daesh militants use them as human shields. Because of that we can't use heavy weapons in the city, and the aircraft of the coalition doesn't carry out airstrikes on the positions of the militants. We are very careful with the lives of civilians and do our best to prevent civilian casualties," Yunus said.

Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces loyal to President Assad fighting numerous opposition factions and extremist groups, such as Daesh, outlawed in many countries, including Russia and the United States. In late May, SDF, backed by the US-led coalition, began an offensive to retake the Syrian city of Manbij from Daesh militants.

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