After freeing 17 villages in East to Manbij, the predominantly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) took control of Al-Madasah from ISIS on June 1. The operation’s goal is to cut the ISIS terrorist group off from an area the group uses to move weapons and fighters across the border.
The territory between the towns of Manbij and Marea is a crucial issue in the fight against ISIS. This area is known as the Manbij Pocket. If it’s captured, ISIS will be isolated from the Turkish border and the last funnel for foreign fighters will be cut off.
This will aslo clear the way for an assault on the city of Raqqa, which is the ISIS self-proclaimed capital.
Meanwhile, civilians are fleeing from Manbij as the SDF are advancing in the area.
VIDEO: Civilians fleeing from villages surrounding #Manbij as #SDF advances against #ISIS – @yunus4akca7 pic.twitter.com/5Ib1VfUBCP
— Conflict News (@Conflicts) June 2, 2016
The progress of the SDF’s offensive:
Click to see the full-size map
The US-led coalition airstrikes in support of the ground offensive:
