Rebel group captures Manbij: Reports

Turkiye’s Anadolu news agency reports that the Turkish-backed rebels have seized control of Syria’s northern city of Manbij.

Reuters also cited a Turkish security source confirming the development, stating that the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) captured Manbij following several days of intense clashes with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Anadolu said SNA troops are now searching the area for potential mines and traps.

The SDF is a main ally in a US-led coalition against ISIL, but Turkiye says it is spearheaded by a “terrorist” group closely tied to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) fighters.