SOUTHWEST ASIA, July 15, 2016 — The Syrian Arab Coalition, supported by coalition strikes, maneuvered toward the center of the city of Manbij in Syria, denying Da’esh, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, access to critical supply routes, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Coalition strikes on key targets halted ISIL attempts to reinforce positions in the north and severed a main resupply and reinforcement route ISIL used to conduct vehicle bomb attacks, officials said in a news release.
The continued pressure SAC is applying to ISIL inside Manbij has enabled civilians to flee through the SAC perimeter and escape ISIL control, officials said.
Heavy Fighting
The fight remains heavily contested, officials said. The SAC continues to hold their defensive positions and launch offensive operations into the north and south sides of the city, despite multiple ISIL attacks with vehicle bombs, armored vehicles and large formations of fighters.
Since the start of the operation, officials said, the coalition has conducted more than 400 strikes near Manbij, destroying ISIL heavy weapons, vehicles, fortifications, vehicle bomb-making facilities, armored vehicles, technical vehicles, bridges and caches.
Ground operations by Syrian moderate opposition forces in Manbij, supported by coalition airstrikes, continue to weaken ISIL’s threat to Turkey, Europe and the United States, officials said.