Manbij Military Council

Last updated
Manbij Military Council
مجلس منبج العسكري
Top commander
SpokespersonShervan Derwish
Notable commanders
  • Faisal Abdi Bilal Saadoun  (DOW) ("Abu Layla", 2016)
  • Dilsuz Hashme [3]
  • Ibrahim Semho (Euphrates Liberation Brigade) [3]
  • Abu Jassim
  • Abu Khalaf
  • Ahmad Arsh [4] (Manbij Revolutionaries Battalion)
  • Ibrahim al-Banawi
Dates of operation2 April 2016 – present
Group(s)
Headquarters Tishrin Dam (pre-offensive)
Manbij (post-offensive)
Active regions Aleppo, Raqqa, Hasaka, and Deir ez-Zor governorates, Syria
Size5,000–6,000 (2018) [7]
Part ofFlag of Syrian Democratic Forces.svg Syrian Democratic Forces (unofficially) [8] [9] [10]
AlliesFlag of the United States.svg  United States
Flag of France.svg  France
OpponentsAQMI Flag asymmetric.svg  Islamic State
Flag of Turkey.svgSyrian revolution flag.svg Syrian National Army
Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey (denied by MMC) [10]
Battles and wars
Website Official website

The Manbij Military Council (MMC) is a coalition established by several groups in the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), primarily the Northern Sun Battalion, on 2 April 2016 at the Tishrin Dam on the Euphrates. The MMC led the SDF's Manbij offensive from June 2016 that led to the capture of the city of Manbij from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant two months later. Most fighters in the MMC are from Manbij and the surrounding areas.

Contents

History

2016

Fighters of the Euphrates Liberation Brigade, part of the Manbij Military Council, in Manbij Euphrates Liberation Brigade in Manbij.jpg
Fighters of the Euphrates Liberation Brigade, part of the Manbij Military Council, in Manbij

The Manbij offensive has included the Manbij Military Council, US special operations forces, and minimal YPG and YPJ involvement assisted by US-led coalition airstrikes. The SDF fighters are mostly Arabs. During the offensive, an SDF fighter gave his perspective as "we have Arabs, Kurds, nobody knows how many exactly, we all work under the SDF-forces". [12]

On 5 April 2016, a civilian council was formed in the town of Sarrin by individuals originally from Manbij who had fled when Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) took over. The council consists of Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, and Circassians, [13] and was created to administer Manbij after its capture. [14]

The commander of the Manbij Military Council, Abu Layla, died of wounds he suffered from gunshots in the Manbij front against the Islamic State. He was succeeded by Muhammad Mustafa ("Abu Adel").

On 19 August 2016, the Manbij Military Council issued a statement which announced that it was taking over the security of Manbij city center and villages from the YPG and YPJ, though some of their fighters remained to continue to provide training and other support duties. [15] [16]

In early November 2016, a 'battalion' from the Sham Legion defected and joined the MMC.

On 17 November 2016, the rest of the YPG and YPJ fighters left Manbij, leaving the security of the area and training of troops fully to the council. [17]

2017

On 2 March 2017, the Manbij Military Council handed over a vast expanse of territory west of Manbij to the Syrian Army to create a buffer zone between the SDF and Turkish-backed rebels. They released a statement saying that "Defending the civilians and protecting them from the adverse impact of the war, ensuring the security of Manbij and frustrating the invasion plans of the Turkish army against Syrian soil are the goals we have taken for all the peoples living on the lands of Syria," [18] and that

To reach these objectives [the defense of Manbij] we have transferred, after reaching a new alliance with Russia, the defence of the line to the west of Manbij – where the villages between us and the gang groups [FSA, Ahrar al-Sham] affiliated to the Turkish army are – to Syrian state forces." [19]

and

The SDF ceded this territory west of Manbij because it is clear that there are limits to the extent that the United States will intervene on behalf of the SDF's interests west of the Euphrates. [18]

On 17 April 2017, it was announced that 200 fighters from the council would participate in the Battle of Tabqa to take al-Thawra, part of the larger Raqqa campaign. [11] On 24 May 2017, an additional 2,200 fighters were sent for the fourth phase of the campaign.

The Manbij Military Council fought in the Battle of Raqqa since 6 June 2017. On 29 August, Adnan Abu Amjad, general commander of the Manbij Military Council, was killed in action during the battle. [20]

On 17 September 2017, Muhammad Mustafa Ali, also known by his nom de guerre "Abu Adel", was appointed the general commander of the Manbij Military Council as the successor of Adnan Abu Amjad. [1] [21] On 5 November 2017, Abu Adel was wounded by an IED of Harakat al-Qiyam, a rebel group in northern Syria. [2]

On 27 November 2017, the Martyr Adnan Abu Amjad Regiment, consisting of 250 fighters was established, and joined the MMC.

2018

During the Turkish invasion of Afrin, the Manbij Military Council released a condemnation stating, “This aggression that practices ethnic cleansing and mass genocide against our people in Afrin is aimed for producing terrorist groups in areas where there is peace and coexistence.” [22] The Council prepared to resist a possible Turkish attack on Manbij, with hundreds of additional SDF troops transferred from the Deir Ezzor frontlines. [23]

On 5 June 2018, a day after Turkey and the U.S. agreed to a roadmap for the Manbij region, the YPG announced it would withdraw its remaining forces there, who they stated were serving as tactical advisors to the MMC. [24]

2019

On 11 March 2019, Manbij Military Council Co-Chair Muhammad Mustafa told Al-Monitor that “Russian commanders told us exactly two days ago that the minute the Americans leave they will deploy their forces along the demarcation line.” [25]

On 19 March, it was reported that the MMC had facilitated the capture of five Islamic State militants believed responsible for a January 2019 suicide bombing which killed four Americans. [26]

On 26 March, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for a checkpoint bombing that killed 7 members of the MMC. [27]

During Operation Peace Spring, the Council prepared to defend Manbij from Turkey, until the SDF reached a military agreement with the Syrian Government and Russia to prevent a Turkish operation. [28]

On 15 October, under the terms of the military agreement, Russian and Syrian troops were positioned along SDF’s frontlines with Turkey in Manbij. [29] While some international media outlets inaccurately reported that Manbij had come under Syrian Government control, [30] the two sides only agreed to station the SAA on the Autonomous Administration’s borders with Turkey, and the Government has no institutions in Manbij. [31]

2020

On 3 February 2019, the Manbij Military Council called on Manbij residents serving in Syrian National Army militias in Turkish-occupied zones to defect and return to the region. [32]

On 10 June, the Council’s spokesperson, Shervan Derwish, survived an IED assassination attempt. [33]

2021

On 2 June 2021, the Manbij Military Council announced it would halt regional conscription in the face of popular local protests, as well as some riots. [34]

As with every other year, Turkish forces shelled MMC positions multiple times in 2021. [35] [36]

2022

Turkey shelled the Manbij countryside including many villages constantly in 2022, killing and displacing civilians as a result. [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] The MMC and its components including the Kurdish Front, Al-Bab Military Council and the Army of Revolutionaries vowed again the resist any Turkish operation against Manbij region. [43]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">People's Defense Units</span> Mainly-Kurdish militia in Syria

The People's Defense Units (YPG), also called People's Protection Units, is a mainly Kurdish militant group in Syria and the primary component of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syriac Military Council</span> Assyrian/Syriac military organisation in Syria

The Syriac Military Council is an Assyrian/Syriac military organisation in Syria, part of the Syrian Democratic Forces. The establishment of the organisation was announced on 8 January 2013. According to the Syriac Military Council, the goal of the organisation is to stand up for the national rights of and to protect Assyrians in Syria. It operates mostly in the densely populated Assyrian areas of Al-Hasakah Governorate, and is affiliated to the Syriac Union Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Sun Battalion</span> Armed Syrian rebel group

The Northern Sun Battalion is an armed rebel group affiliated with the Free Syrian Army and part of the Syrian Democratic Forces that has been active during the Syrian Civil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women's Protection Units</span> Ethnic Kurdish military unit

The Women's Protection Units or Women's Defense Units is an all-female militia involved in the Syrian civil war. The YPJ is part of the Syrian Democratic Forces, the armed forces of Rojava, and is closely affiliated with the male-led YPG. While the YPJ is mainly made up of Kurds, it also includes women from other ethnic groups in Northern Syria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaysh al-Salam</span> Syrian rebel group

Jaysh al-Salam was an operations room of Free Syrian Army factions that operated in northern and eastern Syria with the goal of attacking the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Raqqa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syrian Democratic Forces</span> Alliance in the Syrian Civil War

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is a coalition formed by ethnic militias and rebel groups, and serves as the official military wing of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). The SDF is allied to and supplied by the United States–led CJTF–OIR international alliance. Founded in 10 October 2015, the SDF claims that its mission is fighting to create a secular, democratic and federalised Syria. According to Turkey, the Syrian Democratic Forces has direct links to the PKK, which it recognizes a terrorist group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manbij offensive</span> 2016 military operation by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Aleppo Governorate, Syria

The Manbij offensive, code-named Operation Martyr and Commander Faysal Abu Layla by the SDF, was a 2016 military offensive operation by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to capture the city of Manbij from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and eventually, the ISIL-held areas through Al-Bab to Herbel, in the area referred to as the "Manbij Pocket" in the northern Aleppo Governorate. The main goal of the offensive was to cut off ISIL's last supply routes from Turkey, and to prevent ISIL fighters from escaping across the Syria-Turkey border. For the first five days of the offensive, the US-led coalition conducted over 55 airstrikes in support of the SDF. After capturing Manbij city on 12 August, the SDF announced that the offensive would continue until the whole countryside around Manbij was captured, though the offensive effectively ended shortly after the Turkish Armed Forces initiated Operation Euphrates Shield to prevent the SDF uniting the regions of Rojava.

The Northern Raqqa offensive was a 2016 military offensive launched by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in northern Raqqa Governorate, in order to prepare for a future attack on the city of Raqqa. The offensive was launched in coordination with airstrikes by the US-led Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve. After 30 May, the offensive stalled, as the SDF shifted its focus and resources to another operation in the northern Aleppo Province.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shahba Canton</span> Canton in Aleppo, Syria

The Shahba Canton is a political unit of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, in the Aleppo Governorate. The canton was established to administer the areas captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant west of the Euphrates, as part of the Afrin Region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abu Layla</span>

Faisal Abdi Bilal Saadoun, widely known as Abu Leyla or Abu Layla, was a commander in both the Free Syrian Army and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). He is regarded by many as a hero of the Rojava–Islamist conflict.

Arima, also spelled Orayma or Arimah, is a town and seat of a subdistrict (nahiya) in Al-Bab District, located 20 kilometers (12 mi) northeast of the city of al-Bab and 65 kilometers (40 mi) northeast of Aleppo in northern Syria. In the 2004 census, it had a population of 2,839. The town of Qabasin is also to the south-west, and closer than Al-Bab. Manbij city is to the north-east. In course of the Syrian Civil War, the town repeatedly changed hands. As of 2020, it was under dual control of the Syrian government and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syrian Democratic Forces military councils</span> Military councils for local security and defense

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has many military councils for local security and defense, each being accountable to the civil council of the area they operate in.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raqqa campaign (2016–2017)</span> 2016–17 military operation in Syria

The Raqqa campaign was a military operation launched in November 2016 during the Rojava–Islamist conflict by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the Raqqa Governorate, with the goal of isolating and eventually capturing the Islamic State's capital city, Raqqa. The SDF's subsidiary goals included capturing the Tabqa Dam, the nearby city of al-Thawrah, and the Baath Dam further downstream. The campaign ended successfully in October 2017, with the capture of Raqqa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rojda Felat</span>

Rojda Felat is a Syrian Kurdish senior commander of the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who has fought in the Rojava conflict since it began in 2012, and has led several major campaigns against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). A revolutionary feminist, Felat's stated goal is to achieve social transformation in the Middle East through the YPJ, "liberating the Kurdish woman and the Syrian woman in general from the ties and control of traditional society, as well as liberating the entirety of Syria from terrorism and tyranny".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raqqa campaign (2016–2017) order of battle</span>

In course of the Raqqa campaign (2016–2017), an international coalition, primarily composed of the Syrian Democratic Forces and CJTF–OIR, captured the Raqqa Governorate from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, which had declared Raqqa city the capital of its self-proclaimed caliphate.

The Manbij Revolutionaries Battalion, also simply known as Manbij Revolutionaries, is a Syrian militia that is part of the Syrian Democratic Forces' Manbij Military Council and operates in the Aleppo Governorate. Members of the unit have declared that their primary goal is to drive the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) from Syria, and to establish a democratic, inclusionist government in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Democratic Brigade</span> Free Syrian Army unit

The Northern Democratic Brigade is a Free Syrian Army unit that is closely allied to the Syrian Kurdish YPG and YPJ in Afrin Region since 2014. Led by Absi Taha, Alexander Khalil, and Alexander Alaa, it also joined the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in November 2015. The initial members of the group originated from Jabal Zawiya in Idlib, and it has recruited Arabs from Idlib, Aleppo, and other cities in northern Syria since allying with the YPG. Since joining the SDF, the unit has begun to operate across much of northern and eastern Syria, participating in operations against anti-SDF Syrian opposition factions, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the Turkish Armed Forces, and the Syrian National Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adnan Abu Amjad</span>

Adnan Abdul Aziz Ahmed, better known as Adnan Abu Amjad, was the commander of the Manbij Military Council, active within the Syrian Democratic Forces in the Syrian Civil War. Adnan led his group, the Manbij Military Council and the Northern Sun Battalion, in every battle since its formation in 2014, including the Siege of Kobanî, the Tell Abyad offensive, the Tishrin Dam offensive, the al-Hawl offensive, the al-Shaddadi offensive, the Battle of Manbij, his hometown, where he freed his parents from ISIL rule in August 2016, and the Raqqa campaign, including the Battle of Raqqa, where he was killed in action on 29 August 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Euphrates Liberation Brigade</span>

The Euphrates Liberation Brigade is a mostly Arab militia that operates as part of the Syrian Democratic Forces' Manbij Military Council (MMC) in the Syrian civil war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern Syria insurgency</span> Armed insurgency

The Eastern Syria insurgency is an armed insurgency being waged by remnants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and both pro and anti-Syrian government Arab nationalist insurgents, against the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), its military, and their allies in the US-led Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF–OIR) coalition.

References

  1. 1 2 "Muhammad Abu Adel, MMC new commander". Hawar News Agency. 18 September 2017. Archived from the original on 23 January 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  2. 1 2 "FSA Qiyam Movement claims the responsibility".
  3. 1 2 Aris Roussinos (19 September 2017). "Inside The Fight To Retake Raqqa From ISIS".
  4. 1 2 "A Border Police of Assad regime? or a commander in SDF factions?". Verify. 6 March 2017. Archived from the original on 25 July 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  5. ↑ "Join the banner of liberalization of the Euphrates to the Military Council in Aleppo Manbej". ARA News. 2 October 2016. Archived from the original on October 4, 2016.
  6. ↑ "The formation of a brigade Hawks Manbej and join the Council of Manbej military". Hawar News Agency (in Arabic). 27 November 2016. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  7. ↑ Ibrahim Humaidi (6 June 2018). "Asharq Al-Awsat Exclusive: Manbij Agreement Tests US-Turkish Ties". Asharq Al-Awsat .
  8. ↑ Hadeel al-Saidawi (5 October 2018). "The Meaning of Manbij". Carnegie Middle East Center .
  9. ↑ "Islamic State claims attack on SDF in Manbij, first since territorial defeat". Middle East Eye . 26 March 2019.
  10. 1 2 "We are not against turkey… The Syrian Democratic Forces are our ally and we are not subordinated to them". North Press Agency. 9 May 2019.
  11. 1 2 Wladimir van Wilgenburg (18 April 2017). "200 fighters from Manbij to join Raqqa operation, SDF gets closer to Tabqa centre". ARA News. Archived from the original on 19 April 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  12. ↑ "SDF-led Manbij Military Council cuts off ISIS supply route between Raqqa and Manbij". Ara News. 2016-06-05. Archived from the original on 2016-06-06. Retrieved 2016-06-05.
  13. ↑ Wilgenburg, Wladimir van. "Kurds, rebels in rat race to seize ISIS territory". now.mmedia.me. Archived from the original on 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2016-05-30.
  14. ↑ "Kurds set up new civilian council for recapturing Syria's Manbij from ISIS". ARA News. 6 April 2016. Archived from the original on 7 April 2016.
  15. ↑ "SDF withdraws from Manbij after liberation, handing city over to local council". aranews. 19 April 2016. Archived from the original on 21 August 2016.
  16. ↑ "Manbij Military Council takes over the security of Manbij". ANF. 19 August 2016.
  17. ↑ "YPJ and YPG withdraw from Manbij". Hawar News Agency. Archived from the original on 22 November 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  18. 1 2 "Russian general confirms a Kurdish-Russian deal against Turkey". ARA News. 5 March 2017. Archived from the original on March 5, 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  19. ↑ Andrew Illingworth (2 March 2017). "BREAKING: Kurdish-led SDF to handover huge section of territory to SAA". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  20. ↑ "SDF: Manbij commander Adnan killed in Raqqa offensive". Rudaw Media Network . 30 August 2017.
  21. ↑ "Mohammed Abu Adel as General Commander of the Manbaj Military Council". Furat FM Radio. 17 September 2017. Archived from the original on 18 September 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  22. ↑ "Manbij Military Council vows to resist possible Turkish assault". Rudaw. 5 December 2018. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  23. ↑ Schmitt, Nordland, Eric, Rod (28 February 2018). "Amid Turkish Assault, Kurdish Forces Are Drawn Away From U.S. Fight With Islamic State". WRAL NEWS. Retrieved 9 December 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  24. ↑ "YPG confirms withdrawal from Syria's Manbij after Turkey-US deal". AlJazeera. June 5, 2018. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  25. ↑ Zaman, Amberin (11 March 2018). "Russian forces will defend Manbij 'the minute Americans leave'". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  26. ↑ Martinez, Luis (19 March 2019). "5 ISIS fighters captured for alleged role in Syria blast that killed 4 Americans". ABC News. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  27. ↑ "7 US-backed Kurdish fighters killed in ISIS attack in Manbij". MilitaryTimes. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  28. ↑ Najjar, Farah (16 October 2019). "New front in Syria's war: Why Manbij matters". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  29. ↑ McKernan, Bethan (15 October 2019). "Russian troops patrol between Turkish and Syrian forces on border". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  30. ↑ "Russia-backed Syrian forces enter key city". DW. 15 October 2019. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  31. ↑ Hamidi, Ibrahim (7 December 2022). "Mazloum Abdi: US Barred Türkiye from Carrying Out Military Operation in Syria". Asharq Al-Awsat. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  32. ↑ al-Ahmde, Rana (20 February 2020). "Will Manbij fighters heed the call to return home?". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  33. ↑ Van Wilgenburg, Wladimir (10 June 2020). "Local official survives assassination attempt in Syria's Manbij". Kurdistan24. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  34. ↑ van Wilgenburg, Wladimir (3 June 2021). "Military conscription suspended after protests and riots in Syria's Manbij". Kurdistan 24. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  35. ↑ al-Hassan, Saddam (8 February 2023). "Turkey bombarded Manbij Military Council posts northern Syria". North Press Agency. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  36. ↑ al-Hassan, Saddam (22 June 2021). "Turkey intensively shells Syria's Manbij countryside". North Press Agency. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  37. ↑ al-Hassan, Fadi (8 July 2022). "Turkish bombardment forces villagers in Syria's Manbij to flee in night". North Press Agency. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  38. ↑ Haydar, Ammar (11 June 2022). "Turkey shells telecommunications tower in Syria's Manbij". North Press Agency. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  39. ↑ al-Hussein, Fadi (23 October 2022). "Turkish shelling prevents farmers from cultivating lands in Syria's Manbij". North Press Agency. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  40. ↑ al-Hassan, Saddam (1 March 2022). "Villages of Syria's Manbij hit with 25 Turkish shells". North Press Agency. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  41. ↑ al-Hassan, Saddam (28 April 2022). "Syria's Manbij countryside hit with Turkish drones, shells". North Press Agency. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  42. ↑ "The outcome of the Turkish occupation attacks against NE Syria on December 3, 2022". sdf-press.com. 4 December 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  43. ↑ al-Hussein, Saddam (16 July 2022). "SDF's military council in Manbij condemns Turkish threats against northern Syria". North Press Agency. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.