Rebels enter northern city of Manbij

Turkey-backed Syrian rebels entered the northern Syrian city of Manbij after taking control of most of the surrounding area from US-allied Kurdish forces there, a Turkish security source said on Sunday.

The Turkey-backed rebels in the north are aligned with the rebels in the south, sharing the same goal of defeating Assad.

“The fight against the YPG/PKK is very close to victory. Both air and land interventions are ongoing to take Manbij from the hands of the YPG/PKK,” the source said, referring to the Kurdish militia which has long been in control of Manbij. The source said the Turkish-backed forces controlled 80 per cent of the Manbij region, an area covering some several hundred square kilometres, and had entered the city itself.

However, the US-backed Syrian Kurdish forces, who control northeast Syria, said they were still fighting the Turkish-backed rebels in the city.

Manbij city is some 30 km south of the Turkish border and to the west of the Euphrates river.