Syrian unit sweeping Manbij of explosives after ISIL forced out

The Syrian Arab Coalition element of the Syrian Democratic Forces recently seized control of Manbij, Syria, and it is now working to clear the city to allow for civilians to return, another coalition blow against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

While the clearing process is a slow and difficult one, made dangerous by homemade bombs the terrorist army is known to leave behind in cities it abandons, Defense Secretary Ash Carter hailed the removal of ISIL as a victory for Manbij, the Manbij Military Council, the Syrian-Arab Coalition and the Syrian Democratic Forces.

“The success in Manbij city will also help reinforce the growing isolation of Raqqa, and enable us to achieve the next objective of our campaign in Syria: collapsing ISIL's control over that city,” Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman and Army Col. Christopher Garver said.

Forces in Iraq are also making progress against ISIL, with the Iraqi forces led by counter-terrorism service forces working to isolate ISIL-held Qayarrah and Peshmerga forces in the north, concentrating on the villages of Abzax, Shanaf and Kanhash.

“The operations by the (Iraqi Security Forces) and the Peshmerga are complementary and support each other and the overall campaign against (ISIL) in Iraq,” Garver said.