Manbij Military Council

Manbij Military Council
مجلس منبج العسكري
Flag of the Manbij Military Council
Top commander	Adnan Abdul Aziz Ahmed † ("Adnan Abu Amjad", 2016–17) Muhammad Mustafa Ali ("Abu Adel", since 2017)[1][2]
Spokesperson	Shervan Derwish
Notable commanders	Faisal Abdi Bilal Saadoun (DOW) ("Abu Layla", 2016) Dilsuz Hashme[3] Ibrahim Semho (Euphrates Liberation Brigade)[3] Abu Jassim Abu Khalaf Ahmad Arsh[4] (Manbij Revolutionaries Battalion) Ibrahim al-Banawi
Dates of operation	2 April 2016 – present
Group(s)	Northern Sun Battalion Euphrates Brigades Soldiers of the Two Holy Mosques Brigade Euphrates Martyrs Brigade Dam Martyrs Brigade Al-Qusais Brigade Manbij Turkmen Battalion Euphrates Liberation Brigade[5] Manbij Hawks Brigade[6] Manbij Revolutionaries Battalion[4] Martyr Adnan Abu Amjad Regiment Martyr Abdo Dushka Regiment
Headquarters	Tishrin Dam (pre-offensive) Manbij (post-offensive)
Active regions	Aleppo, Raqqa, Hasaka, and Deir ez-Zor governorates, Syria
Size	5,000–6,000 (2018)[7]
Part of	Syrian Democratic Forces (unofficially)[8][9][10]
Allies	United States  France
Opponents	Islamic State Syrian National Army  Turkey (denied by MMC)[10]
Battles and wars	Manbij offensive (2016) Operation Euphrates Shield Battle of al-Bab East Aleppo offensive (2017) Raqqa campaign (2016–2017) Battle of Tabqa (2017) Battle of Al Thawrah[11] Battle of Raqqa (2017) Eastern Syria insurgency (2017–present) Deir ez-Zor campaign (2017–2019) Battle of Baghuz Fawqani 2024 Syrian opposition offensives Operation Dawn of Freedom Manbij offensive (2024)
Website	Official website

The Manbij Military Council (MMC) is a coalition established by several groups in the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), primarily the Northern Sun Battalion, on 2 April 2016 at the Tishrin Dam on the Euphrates. The MMC led the SDF's Manbij offensive from June 2016 that led to the capture of the city of Manbij from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant two months later. Most fighters in the MMC are from Manbij and the surrounding areas.

History

2016

Main article: Manbij offensive (2016)

Fighters of the Euphrates Liberation Brigade, part of the Manbij Military Council, in Manbij

The Manbij offensive has included the Manbij Military Council, US special operations forces, and minimal YPG and YPJ involvement assisted by US-led coalition airstrikes. The SDF fighters are mostly Arabs. During the offensive, an SDF fighter gave his perspective as "we have Arabs, Kurds, nobody knows how many exactly, we all work under the SDF-forces".^[12]

On 5 April 2016, a civilian council was formed in the town of Sarrin by individuals originally from Manbij who had fled when Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) took over. The council consists of Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, and Circassians,^[13] and was created to administer Manbij after its capture.^[14]

The commander of the Manbij Military Council, Abu Layla, died of wounds he suffered from gunshots in the Manbij front against the Islamic State. He was succeeded by Muhammad Mustafa ("Abu Adel").

On 19 August 2016, the Manbij Military Council issued a statement which announced that it was taking over the security of Manbij city center and villages from the YPG and YPJ, though some of their fighters remained to continue to provide training and other support duties.^[15][16]

In early November 2016, a 'battalion' from the Sham Legion defected and joined the MMC.

On 17 November 2016, the rest of the YPG and YPJ fighters left Manbij, leaving the security of the area and training of troops fully to the council.^[17]

2017

On 2 March 2017, the Manbij Military Council handed over a vast expanse of territory west of Manbij to the Syrian Army to create a buffer zone between the SDF and Turkish-backed rebels. They released a statement saying that "Defending the civilians and protecting them from the adverse impact of the war, ensuring the security of Manbij and frustrating the invasion plans of the Turkish army against Syrian soil are the goals we have taken for all the peoples living on the lands of Syria,"^[18] and that

To reach these objectives [the defense of Manbij] we have transferred, after reaching a new alliance with Russia, the defence of the line to the west of Manbij – where the villages between us and the gang groups [FSA, Ahrar al-Sham] affiliated to the Turkish army are – to Syrian state forces."^[19]

and

The SDF ceded this territory west of Manbij because it is clear that there are limits to the extent that the United States will intervene on behalf of the SDF's interests west of the Euphrates.^[18]

On 17 April 2017, it was announced that 200 fighters from the council would participate in the Battle of Tabqa to take al-Thawra, part of the larger Raqqa campaign.^[11] On 24 May 2017, an additional 2,200 fighters were sent for the fourth phase of the campaign.

The Manbij Military Council fought in the Battle of Raqqa since 6 June 2017. On 29 August, Adnan Abu Amjad, general commander of the Manbij Military Council, was killed in action during the battle.^[20]

On 17 September 2017, Muhammad Mustafa Ali, also known by his nom de guerre "Abu Adel", was appointed the general commander of the Manbij Military Council as the successor of Adnan Abu Amjad.^[1][21] On 5 November 2017, Abu Adel was wounded by an IED of Harakat al-Qiyam, a rebel group in northern Syria.^[2]

On 27 November 2017, the Martyr Adnan Abu Amjad Regiment, consisting of 250 fighters was established, and joined the MMC.

2018

During the Turkish invasion of Afrin, the Manbij Military Council released a condemnation stating, “This aggression that practices ethnic cleansing and mass genocide against our people in Afrin is aimed for producing terrorist groups in areas where there is peace and coexistence.”^[22] The Council prepared to resist a possible Turkish attack on Manbij, with hundreds of additional SDF troops transferred from the Deir Ezzor frontlines.^[23]

On 5 June 2018, a day after Turkey and the U.S. agreed to a roadmap for the Manbij region, the YPG announced it would withdraw its remaining forces there, who they stated were serving as tactical advisors to the MMC.^[24]

2019

On 11 March 2019, Manbij Military Council Co-Chair Muhammad Mustafa told Al-Monitor that “Russian commanders told us exactly two days ago that the minute the Americans leave they will deploy their forces along the demarcation line.”^[25]

On 19 March, it was reported that the MMC had facilitated the capture of five Islamic State militants believed responsible for a January 2019 suicide bombing which killed four Americans.^[26]

On 26 March, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for a checkpoint bombing that killed 7 members of the MMC.^[27]

During Operation Peace Spring, the Council prepared to defend Manbij from Turkey, until the SDF reached a military agreement with the Syrian Government and Russia to prevent a Turkish operation.^[28]

On 15 October, under the terms of the military agreement, Russian and Syrian troops were positioned along SDF’s frontlines with Turkey in Manbij.^[29] While some international media outlets inaccurately reported that Manbij had come under Syrian Government control,^[30] the two sides only agreed to station the SAA on the Autonomous Administration’s borders with Turkey, and the Government has no institutions in Manbij.^[31]

2020

On 3 February 2019, the Manbij Military Council called on Manbij residents serving in Syrian National Army militias in Turkish-occupied zones to defect and return to the region. ^[32]

On 10 June, the Council’s spokesperson, Shervan Derwish, survived an IED assassination attempt.^[33]

2021

On 2 June 2021, the Manbij Military Council announced it would halt regional conscription in the face of popular local protests, as well as some riots. ^[34]

As with every other year, Turkish forces shelled MMC positions multiple times in 2021.^[35][36]

2022

Turkey shelled the Manbij countryside including many villages constantly in 2022, killing and displacing civilians as a result.^{[37][38][39][40][41][42]} The MMC and its components including the Kurdish Front, Al-Bab Military Council and the Army of Revolutionaries vowed again the resist any Turkish operation against Manbij region.^[43]

2024

As part of the Manbij offensive (2024) and the subsequent US brokered ceasefire between the SDF and Syrian National Army (SNA) Manbij Military Council forces withdrew from the city of Manbij.^[44] However as of December 25th they claimed to still have a presence on the west bank of the Euphrates in the city of Tishrin.^[45]

References

1. "Muhammad Abu Adel, MMC new commander". Hawar News Agency. 18 September 2017. Archived from the original on 23 January 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
2. "FSA Qiyam Movement claims the responsibility".
3. Aris Roussinos (19 September 2017). "Inside The Fight To Retake Raqqa From ISIS".
4. "A Border Police of Assad regime? or a commander in SDF factions?". Verify. 6 March 2017. Archived from the original on 25 July 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
5. "Join the banner of liberalization of the Euphrates to the Military Council in Aleppo Manbej". ARA News. 2 October 2016. Archived from the original on October 4, 2016.
6. "The formation of a brigade Hawks Manbej and join the Council of Manbej military". Hawar News Agency (in Arabic). 27 November 2016. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
7. Ibrahim Humaidi (6 June 2018). "Asharq Al-Awsat Exclusive: Manbij Agreement Tests US-Turkish Ties". Asharq Al-Awsat.
8. Hadeel al-Saidawi (5 October 2018). "The Meaning of Manbij". Carnegie Middle East Center.
9. "Islamic State claims attack on SDF in Manbij, first since territorial defeat". Middle East Eye. 26 March 2019.
10. "We are not against turkey… The Syrian Democratic Forces are our ally and we are not subordinated to them". North Press Agency. 9 May 2019.
11. Wladimir van Wilgenburg (18 April 2017). "200 fighters from Manbij to join Raqqa operation, SDF gets closer to Tabqa centre". ARA News. Archived from the original on 19 April 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
12. "SDF-led Manbij Military Council cuts off ISIS supply route between Raqqa and Manbij". Ara News. 2016-06-05. Archived from the original on 2016-06-06. Retrieved 2016-06-05.
13. Wilgenburg, Wladimir van. "Kurds, rebels in rat race to seize ISIS territory". now.mmedia.me. Archived from the original on 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2016-05-30.
14. "Kurds set up new civilian council for recapturing Syria's Manbij from ISIS". ARA News. 6 April 2016. Archived from the original on 7 April 2016.
15. "SDF withdraws from Manbij after liberation, handing city over to local council". aranews. 19 April 2016. Archived from the original on 21 August 2016.
16. "Manbij Military Council takes over the security of Manbij". ANF. 19 August 2016.
17. "YPJ and YPG withdraw from Manbij". Hawar News Agency. Archived from the original on 22 November 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
18. "Russian general confirms a Kurdish-Russian deal against Turkey". ARA News. 5 March 2017. Archived from the original on March 5, 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
19. Andrew Illingworth (2 March 2017). "BREAKING: Kurdish-led SDF to handover huge section of territory to SAA". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
20. "SDF: Manbij commander Adnan killed in Raqqa offensive". Rudaw Media Network. 30 August 2017.
21. "Mohammed Abu Adel as General Commander of the Manbaj Military Council". Furat FM Radio. 17 September 2017. Archived from the original on 18 September 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
22. "Manbij Military Council vows to resist possible Turkish assault". Rudaw. 5 December 2018. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
23. Schmitt, Nordland, Eric, Rod (28 February 2018). "Amid Turkish Assault, Kurdish Forces Are Drawn Away From U.S. Fight With Islamic State". WRAL NEWS. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
24. "YPG confirms withdrawal from Syria's Manbij after Turkey-US deal". AlJazeera. June 5, 2018. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
25. Zaman, Amberin (11 March 2018). "Russian forces will defend Manbij 'the minute Americans leave'". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
26. Martinez, Luis (19 March 2019). "5 ISIS fighters captured for alleged role in Syria blast that killed 4 Americans". ABC News. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
27. "7 US-backed Kurdish fighters killed in ISIS attack in Manbij". MilitaryTimes. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
28. Najjar, Farah (16 October 2019). "New front in Syria's war: Why Manbij matters". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
29. McKernan, Bethan (15 October 2019). "Russian troops patrol between Turkish and Syrian forces on border". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
30. "Russia-backed Syrian forces enter key city". DW. 15 October 2019. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
31. Hamidi, Ibrahim (7 December 2022). "Mazloum Abdi: US Barred Türkiye from Carrying Out Military Operation in Syria". Asharq Al-Awsat. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
32. al-Ahmde, Rana (20 February 2020). "Will Manbij fighters heed the call to return home?". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
33. Van Wilgenburg, Wladimir (10 June 2020). "Local official survives assassination attempt in Syria's Manbij". Kurdistan24. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
34. van Wilgenburg, Wladimir (3 June 2021). "Military conscription suspended after protests and riots in Syria's Manbij". Kurdistan 24. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
35. al-Hassan, Saddam (8 February 2023). "Turkey bombarded Manbij Military Council posts northern Syria". North Press Agency. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
36. al-Hassan, Saddam (22 June 2021). "Turkey intensively shells Syria's Manbij countryside". North Press Agency. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
37. al-Hassan, Fadi (8 July 2022). "Turkish bombardment forces villagers in Syria's Manbij to flee in night". North Press Agency. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
38. Haydar, Ammar (11 June 2022). "Turkey shells telecommunications tower in Syria's Manbij". North Press Agency. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
39. al-Hussein, Fadi (23 October 2022). "Turkish shelling prevents farmers from cultivating lands in Syria's Manbij". North Press Agency. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
40. al-Hassan, Saddam (1 March 2022). "Villages of Syria's Manbij hit with 25 Turkish shells". North Press Agency. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
41. al-Hassan, Saddam (28 April 2022). "Syria's Manbij countryside hit with Turkish drones, shells". North Press Agency. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
42. "The outcome of the Turkish occupation attacks against NE Syria on December 3, 2022". sdf-press.com. 4 December 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
43. al-Hussein, Saddam (16 July 2022). "SDF's military council in Manbij condemns Turkish threats against northern Syria". North Press Agency. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
44. "Following fierce clashes | Turkish-backed factions take control of Manbij and 50 militiamen and members of "Manbij Military Council Forces" killed - The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". 2024-12-09. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
45. "YPJ and Manbij Military Council repel attacks by Turkish-backed mercenaries". ANF News. Retrieved 2024-12-28.