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1st LD: U.S.-backed rebels capture key IS stronghold in northern Syria

Xinhua, August 6, 2016 Adjust font size:

The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Saturday took control over a key stronghold of the Islamic State (IS) in northern Syria, near Turkey, a monitor group reported.

The SDF, which is led by the Kurdish People's Protection Units, finally succeeded to capture the town of Manbej, following months of battles with the IS militants.

The SDF took Manbej, located in the northern countryside of the northern province of Aleppo, under heavy air support of the U.S.-led anti-terror coalition.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor group said the SDF is "almost in full control" of the town.

It added that the SDF is combing the town in search of remnants of IS militants, some of who are believed to be still hiding in the central part of the town.

A couple of months ago, the SDF with the help of the anti-terror coalition unleashed a wide-scale offensive to dislodge the IS from Manbej, the last IS stronghold on the Syrian-Turkish borders.

In the process, dozens of civilians were killed in the town as a result of the U.S.-led coalition airstrikes, according to the monitor group.

The SDF, a relatively new rebel alliance of Arab and Kurdish fighters, said their aim is to root out the IS presence in northern Syria. Endit