Clashes rock Manbij as SDF deadline passes
Islamic State group militants yesterday clashed with US-backed fighters in the Syrian town of Manbij, pursuing their fierce defence of the jihadist stronghold and ignoring a deadline to leave.
There are growing fears for the fate of civilians trapped in Manbij, formerly a key stop along IS's supply route from neighbouring Turkey into its self-styled Islamic "caliphate" in Syria.
The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) penetrated the town one month ago but have since been hindered by a bloody IS counter-offensive and concerns about the civilian population.
Yesterday, IS jihadists appeared to ignore a 48-hour ultimatum to leave issued by the Manbij Military Council, a key member of the SDF.
"The 48-hour period is over, and there will be no more opportunities like this one for Daesh (IS)," a commander from the council told AFP on condition of anonymity.
IS has "not responded" to the SDF's offer and had instead "attacked our positions", he said.
The ultimatum came after at least 56 civilians, including children, were reportedly killed Tuesday in US-led coalition air strikes near Manbij.
The commander pledged that his forces would "intensify our attacks on their remaining positions" there while working to "secure safe passages" for civilians looking to flee.
Thousands of civilians have already fled Manbij, which lies in Syria's northern Aleppo province.
More than half of Syria's population has been displaced since the country's conflict erupted in 2011, and at least 280,000 people have been killed.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said SDF forces were advancing in Manbij, moving steadily north from districts they already control in the town's west and south.
The civilian deaths in Tuesday's raids sparked an intense backlash from activists and rights groups, as well as a call from a prominent Syrian opposition body for the coalition to halt its air campaign until a thorough investigation is completed.
The coalition has said it is investigating the reports of civilian fatalities in the town of Al-Tukhar, 14 kilometres (nine miles) from Manbij.
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