Incredible pictures show Syrians celebrate freedom from ISIS by burning niqabs, cutting beards and smoking cigarettes
The Syria Democratic Forces are completing their final sweep of the city Manbij after an operation which has lasted since May
These heartwarming pictures show Syrians burning niqabs, cutting off their beards and smoking cigarettes after being freed from ISIS control.
The Syria Democratic Forces, with air support from coalition fighters, said last week they had taken almost complete control of Manbij, where a small number of ISIS fighters had been holed up.
Some of the pictures show women smoking cigarettes – an activity that is prohibited by the jihadis because it is against the harsh form of Sharia law.
In others groups of men can be seen cutting off their beards while women are photographed burning their niqabs.
The Syrian Democratic Forces operation was launched in May in the city of Manbij
Reuters
Civilians react after they were evacuated by SDF fighters
Reuters
Men could be seen cutting off their beards in groups
Reuters
The SDF has been attempting to take control of the city since May
The SDF's offensive, which began at the end of May, aimed to remove Islamic State from areas it controls along the Turkish border, which was for years a route through which the group moved fighters and weapons.
Its campaign quickly captured the countryside surrounding Manbij, but slowed once fighting entered the city.
The group said it had been avoiding a large-scale assault inside the city out of concern for civilians.
The SDF said it was now conducting a final sweep of Manbij before they officially announce the operation is complete.
Reuters
These women couldn't hide their joy while walking through Manbij
Reuters
The SDF had been avoiding a large-scale assault on the city out of concern for civilians
Reuters
During the operation some civilians were used as human shields by ISIS fighters who were trying to protect themselves
Friday's attack is "the last operation and the last assault," said Sharfan Darwish, a spokesman for the Syrian Arab and Kurdish forces.
Darwish said roughly 100 Islamic State fighters were left in the centre of the city, and that they were using civilians as human shields.
Several civilians were killed trying to flee, he said.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights later said around 500 cars had left Manbij carrying Islamic State members and civilians.
Reuters
Children flash victory signs as they play in the streets of Manbij
Reuters
A celebratory game of football also broke out between the youngsters
Reuters
SDF female fighters embrace each other after liberating the city
They were heading northeast towards Jarablus, a town under Islamic State control on the Turkish border, the Observatory said.
The convoy carried the final Islamic State members leaving the city, under an agreement between the fighting parties that would not be announced officially, the Observatory said, marking the end of the operation.
These heartwarming pictures show Syrians burning niqabs, cutting off their beards and smoking cigarettes after being freed from ISIS control.
The Syria Democratic Forces, with air support from coalition fighters, said last week they had taken almost complete control of Manbij, where a small number of ISIS fighters had been holed up.
Some of the pictures show women smoking cigarettes – an activity that is prohibited by the jihadis because it is against the harsh form of Sharia law.
In others groups of men can be seen cutting off their beards while women are photographed burning their niqabs.
The Syrian Democratic Forces operation was launched in May in the city of ManbijReuters
Civilians react after they were evacuated by SDF fightersReuters
Men could be seen cutting off their beards in groupsReuters
The SDF has been attempting to take control of the city since MayThe SDF's offensive, which began at the end of May, aimed to remove Islamic State from areas it controls along the Turkish border, which was for years a route through which the group moved fighters and weapons.
Its campaign quickly captured the countryside surrounding Manbij, but slowed once fighting entered the city.
The group said it had been avoiding a large-scale assault inside the city out of concern for civilians.
The SDF said it was now conducting a final sweep of Manbij before they officially announce the operation is complete.
Reuters
These women couldn't hide their joy while walking through ManbijReuters
The SDF had been avoiding a large-scale assault on the city out of concern for civiliansReuters
During the operation some civilians were used as human shields by ISIS fighters who were trying to protect themselvesFriday's attack is "the last operation and the last assault," said Sharfan Darwish, a spokesman for the Syrian Arab and Kurdish forces.
Darwish said roughly 100 Islamic State fighters were left in the centre of the city, and that they were using civilians as human shields.
Several civilians were killed trying to flee, he said.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights later said around 500 cars had left Manbij carrying Islamic State members and civilians.
Reuters
Children flash victory signs as they play in the streets of ManbijReuters
A celebratory game of football also broke out between the youngstersReuters
SDF female fighters embrace each other after liberating the cityThey were heading northeast towards Jarablus, a town under Islamic State control on the Turkish border, the Observatory said.
The convoy carried the final Islamic State members leaving the city, under an agreement between the fighting parties that would not be announced officially, the Observatory said, marking the end of the operation.
Comments
Post a Comment