The Syrian Kurdish forces, known as the People’s Protection Units (YPG) or the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), have withdrawn from Manbij and other east of the Euphrates river in order to “prepare for the eventual liberation of Raqqa.”
The Syrian Democratic Forces have moved east across the Euphrates to prepare for the eventual liberation of Raqqa, Syria #defeatdaesh
— OIR Spokesperson (@OIRSpox) August 25, 2016
This move is de-facto transfers Manbij and nearby areas to the control of the Turkish-backed militants. Yesterday, the YPG officially claimed that the group will never withraw from the area. However, it was not able to ingore the US order to do so.
To clarify: Main element of SDF Manbij liberation force has gone east; some forces remain to finish clearing, IED removal as planned.
— OIR Spokesperson (@OIRSpox) August 25, 2016
