The Syrian Democratic Forces seized control of "al-Banawi" neighborhood south of Manbij in Aleppo's northeastern countryside as battles to retake the entire province are intensifying by the day.
The Manbij Military Committee, affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces, has ascertained that the ISIS terrorist group—referred to as Daesh in its Arabic abbreviation—is using civilians as human shields.
It further stated that the terrorist organization is planning to use these civilians as pawns to secure its own militants’ escape.
In a statement, the group said ISIS is trying to negotiate its militants' release in exchange for allowing injured civilians to leave the area.
The statement further claimed that SDF fighters are committed to carving out a safe exit for civilians who are capable of escaping the grips of ISIS militants.
"The Syrian and international public opinion must realize with clarity and conclusive evidence that innocent civilians in the city have become hostages to the terrorist organization...This again reveals to us that in this war civilians have become pawns in the hands of ISIS."
Meanwhile, violent clashes are continuing in Manbij's neighborhoods as military reinforcements reached the fighters from al-Hasaka and Aleppo countryside.
According to RT, ISIS terrorist were caught fleeing the city disguised as women after a 48 hour ultimatum was declared.
On Friday, a spokesman for the US-led coalition announced that the SDF had control of about half of the city.
Spokesman Colonel Chris Garver said U.S.-backed Syrian Arab Coalition fighters have control of the western half of Manbij and continue to tighten their circle around the city.
The Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Kurdish, Arab, Assyrian, Armenian, Turkmen and Circassian fighters battling against ISIS is backed by the US-led coalition in Syria which itself has failed to target and hinder terrorist activities.
