​​​​​​​Manbij liberation… A turning point in region's history

Five years after its launch, the memory of Manbij liberation campaign, which was led by its military council with the support of the Syrian Democratic Forces, is still firmly anchored in everyone's mind, whether fighters or civilians who got rid of ISIS' obscurantism.

The first of June marks the anniversary of the start of the campaign to liberate Manbij from ISIS mercenaries who occupied the city on January 21, 2014.

'A turning point and a particular relevance to the Syrian city of Manbij'

The Commander-in-Chief of the Manbij Military Council, Mohammed Abu Adel, says to Hawar news agency, "The city of Manbij was like the backbone of ISIS and its liberation was a duty incumbent upon the fighters within the ranks of the military council, for whom people were supporters."

ISIS used the city of Manbij as a main stronghold for foreign mercenaries who were crossing to Syrian territory from Turkey.

The liberation of Manbij was tantamount to seizing the second capital of ISIS mercenaries in Syria, and blocking the second artery feeding the mercenaries, after the People's and Women's Protection Units liberated Girê Spî city from ISIS in the summer of 2015.

Their liberation affected ISIS greatly, as the mercenary forces started breaking, which quickly contributed to defeating it in its last stronghold in Baghouz during the spring of 2019.

'Campaign of history'

Mohammed Abu Adel stated that the campaign to liberate Manbij "began on the first of June 2016, led by the martyr Faisal Abu Leyla who was martyred before the campaign reaching Manbij city, then the campaign was named after him, and his comrades continued the course of the campaign, such as the martyr Adnan Abu Amjad and the martyr Abu Jassem Al-Beggari, the martyr Botan Turkmani, and the martyr Koçerin.

Abu Adel added that "those had a prominent role in the campaign, and their main goal was to liberate the people from ISIS mercenaries and to consolidate security and stability, and for that, nearly 500 martyrs sacrificed their lives."

He stressed that the people of Manbij were the supporter for the military forces in terms of raising morale and joining the forces' ranks.

While the Official Spokesman for the Manbij Military Council, Shervan Darwish, said in an interview with ANHA agency that "when ISIS was expanding and only a few meters remained from Kobane city, there was participation of the fighters and founders of Manbij Military Council within the battle to liberate Kobane, they had complete faith that those few meters would be the basis for the liberation of Syria and all humanity from ISIS mercenaries."

Shervan Darwish continued, saying: "Certainly, when Kobane city was liberated from ISIS mercenaries, reaching Tishreen Dam east of Manbij, preparations began to liberate the city. The Commanders Faisal Abu Leyla, Adnan Abu Amjad and their companions were the ones prepared for the campaign to advance towards Manbij."

''The Commander Faisal Abu Leyla's martyrdom

Darwish talked about the martyrdom of one of the most prominent symbols of the campaign and the Manbij Military Council, Faisal Abu Leyla, and said, "Abu Leyla was the commander who led the campaign, as his leadership role was evident since he had a will, an enthusiastic spirit, a combat experience, in addition to his history and struggle."

He continued, "For 75 days, the fighters within the ranks of the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Manbij Military Council have made the most wonderful championships and have taken upon themselves to liberate the city and its people from the abomination of terrorism."

The Commander of the Manbij Military Council, Faisal Abu Leyla, one of the most prominent symbols of Kobane and Manbij Battles, was martyred on June 5^th, 2016 after he was wounded during his participation in the battle to liberate a village south of Manbij.

'The joy of reaching Manbij is indescribable'

Shervan Darwish recalled the moments when returning to Manbij city and said that "they were somewhat emotional moments, returning to Manbij and liberating it from terrorism after years of work, effort and preparation for the campaign. Everyone was happy with this step."

Darwish said that the campaign to liberate Manbij started from Kobane and then to Manbij, Tabqa, and Raqqa, to Deir Ezzor.

''Efforts are continuing to get to safety

Shervan Darwish stressed that "preserving the land is our responsibility. Efforts are still ongoing. The lurking parties are still working to strike this successful experience, the sacrifices that were made for it, and to undermine these gains in all ways and forms."

He added, "These parties failed miserably, and their ongoing attempts now will also fail, because the will demonstrated in Manbij liberation campaign and the military forces' unification with the people have become a role model."

'Struggle continues in the martyrs' spirit'

Shervan Darwish emphasized that "the struggle that began in Manbij campaign continues in the spirit of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives until freedom and justice are achieved throughout Syria."

Darwish renewed the pledge to the martyrs to preserve their gains and continue their struggle, and said at the end of his speech: "As long as our goal is to achieve the aspirations of martyrs - and we are sure of this will - we will achieve victory in the whole of Syria and the homeland with cooperation and solidarity, for this is everyone's responsibility."

D.H

ANHA