Even after its liberation from the so-called Islamic State, this city in northern Syria remains draped in jihadist black banners. Anything and everything might be rigged with explosives, and often it is, so people don’t rip down flags without thinking first.
As I visited the scene of battle repeatedly over the weekend, the sound of explosions rocked the city again and again. Sometimes, I was told, they were blasts carried out to get rid of booby traps and IEDs. Sometimes they were bombs people missed until it was too late.
After weeks of fighting, Manbij was taken by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces on Friday with the help of U.S. advisors on the ground and coalition bombing from the air.
You've reached your daily free article limit.
Subscribe and support our veteran writing staff to continue reading.
Even after its liberation from the so-called Islamic State, this city in northern Syria remains draped in jihadist black banners. Anything and everything might be rigged with explosives, and often it is, so people don’t rip down flags without thinking first.
As I visited the scene of battle repeatedly over the weekend, the sound of explosions rocked the city again and again. Sometimes, I was told, they were blasts carried out to get rid of booby traps and IEDs. Sometimes they were bombs people missed until it was too late.
After weeks of fighting, Manbij was taken by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces on Friday with the help of U.S. advisors on the ground and coalition bombing from the air.
Read more at The Daily Beast
Image courtesy of thefewgoodmen.com
Join SOFREP for insider access and analysis.
TRY 14 DAYS FREEAlready a subscriber? Log In
COMMENTS
You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.