Editing Manbij (section)

====Syrian Civil War====
{{see also|Manbij offensive (2016)}}
[[File:US SOF near Manbij.png|thumb|[[United States special operations forces]] near Manbij, acting as advisors to the [[Syrian Democratic Forces]], March 2017]]
Before and in the early years of the [[Syrian Civil War]], Manbij had an ethnically diverse population of [[Arab]], [[Kurds in Syria|Kurdish]], [[Syrian Turkmen|Turkmen]], and [[Circassians in Syria|Circassian]] [[Sunni Muslim]]s, many of whom followed the [[Naqshbandi]] Sufi order. The city's socio-political life was dominated by its main tribes. Tribal leaders served as the mediators and arbiters of major disputes in Manbij, while the state's security forces largely dealt with petty offenses. The city was relatively liberal compared to other Sunni Muslim-majority cities in the countryside of Aleppo.<ref name="MERIP">{{cite web|last1=Khaddour|first1=Kheder|last2=Mazur|first2=Kevin|title=The Struggle for Syria's Regions|url=http://www.merip.org/mer/mer269/struggle-syrias-regions|publisher=Middle East Research and Information Project|access-date=27 August 2015|date=Winter 2013}}</ref>

During the civil war, on 20 July 2012, Manbij fell to local rebel forces who thereafter administered the city. In December, there was an election to appoint a local council.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0mRKAfIY_o | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523214910/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0mRKAfIY_o| archive-date=2014-05-23 | url-status=dead|title=المجالس المحلية .. خطوة نحو الأمام |publisher= SyriaTomorrow |date=9 December 2012 |access-date=9 December 2012}}</ref> In January 2014, forces from the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]] (ISIL) took over the city after ousting the [[Free Syrian Army|rebels]]. The city has since become a hub for trading in looted artifacts and archaeological digging equipment.<ref>{{cite news|title=Al Qaeda chief Zawahri tells Islamists in Syria to unite - audio|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-syria-crisis-zawahri-idUKBREA0M0DU20140123|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203171048/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-syria-crisis-zawahri-idUKBREA0M0DU20140123|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 3, 2016|access-date=27 August 2015|work=Reuters|date=2015-01-23}}</ref> In June 2016, the [[Syrian Democratic Forces]] (SDF) launched an [[Manbij offensive (2016)|offensive]] to capture Manbij,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/06/sdf-closes-isil-supply-route-syria-manbij-160602084213370.html|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=3 June 2016|access-date=3 June 2016|title=SDF closes in on ISIL supply route in Syria's Manbij}}</ref> and by 8 June had fully encircled the city.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-manbij-idUSKCN0YW0T1|work=Reuters|date=8 June 2016|title=U.S.-backed forces cut off all routes into IS-held Manbij: Syrian Observatory}}</ref> On 12 August the SDF had established full control over Manbij after a two-month battle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/sdf-captures-isiss-largest-stronghold-aleppo/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817030204/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/sdf-captures-isiss-largest-stronghold-aleppo/|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 August 2016|title=SDF captures ISIS's largest stronghold in Aleppo|last=Charkatli|first=Izat|date=2016-08-12|language=en-US|access-date=2016-08-13}}</ref>

[[File:Joint Syrian-Russian base near Manbij.png|thumb|Joint Syrian-Russian base near Manbij, 2017]]
By 15 August, thousands of previously displaced citizens of Manbij were reported returning.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/08/15/thousands-return-to-manbij-after-islamic-state-militants-flee-city|title=Thousands Return To Manbij After Islamic State Militants Flee City|publisher=News Deeply|date=15 August 2016|access-date=2016-10-15}}</ref> On 19 August 2016, the [[Manbij Military Council]] issued a written statement announcing it had taken over the security of Manbij city center and villages from the SDF, of which it is a component.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://anfenglish.com/kurdistan/manbij-military-council-takes-over-the-security-of-manbij|title=Manbij Military Council takes over the security of Manbij|work=ANF|date=19 August 2016}}</ref>

Today Manbij is self-administered by the Manbij City Council, co-chaired by Sheikh Farouk al-Mashi and Salih Haji Mohammed,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/06/05/on-the-front-line-in-the-bloody-fight-to-take-manbij-from-isis.html|title=On the Front Line in the Bloody Fight to Take Manbij From ISIS|work=The Daily Beast|date=5 June 2016|access-date=2016-10-15}}</ref> as part of [[Shahba region]] within the ''de facto'' autonomous [[Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria|Federation of Northern Syria – Rojava]] framework. While public administration including public schools has regained secular normalcy after the ISIL episode,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/syrian-kids-relish-return-school-ex-bastion|title=Syrian kids relish return to school in ex-IS bastion|publisher=ReliefWeb (AFP)|date=28 September 2016|access-date=2016-10-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://aranews.net/2016/10/manbij-students-back-school-isis-explosives-dismantled/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012172853/http://aranews.net/2016/10/manbij-students-back-school-isis-explosives-dismantled/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 12, 2016|title=Manbij: students back to school after ISIS explosives dismantled|publisher=ARA News|date=10 October 2016|access-date=2016-10-15}}</ref> a reconciliation committee to overcome rifts created by the civil war was formed,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.hawarnews.com/reconciliation-committee-formed-of-manbij-tribal-notables-and-intellectuals/|title=Reconciliation committee formed of Manbij tribal notables and intellectuals|publisher=[[Hawar News Agency]]|date=9 October 2016|access-date=2016-10-15|archive-date=2017-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010111942/http://en.hawarnews.com/reconciliation-committee-formed-of-manbij-tribal-notables-and-intellectuals/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and international humanitarian aid has been delivered,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aranews.net/2016/09/us-led-coalition-delivering-aid-civilians-post-isis-manbij/|title=US-led coalition delivering aid to civilians in post-ISIS Manbij|publisher=ARA News|date=25 September 2016|access-date=2016-10-15|archive-date=2018-09-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926130645/http://aranews.net/2016/09/us-led-coalition-delivering-aid-civilians-post-isis-manbij/|url-status=dead}}</ref> the [[Democratic confederalism|democratic confederalist]] political program of Rojava is driving political and societal transformations in terms of [[direct democracy]] and [[gender equality]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Syrian women liberated from Isis are joining the police to protect their city|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/isis-syria-women-liberated-create-police-force-a7359376.html|newspaper=The Independent|date=13 October 2016|access-date=2016-10-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Liberated from ISIS suppression, women of Manbij join security forces (includes Video)|url=http://aranews.net/2016/10/liberated-isis-suppression-women-manbij-join-armed-forces-protect-city/|publisher=ARA News|date=13 October 2016|access-date=2016-10-15|archive-date=2018-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001051405/http://aranews.net/2016/10/liberated-isis-suppression-women-manbij-join-armed-forces-protect-city/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Reconstruction after devastations of civil war combat<ref>{{cite web|title=(Video) Manbij after liberation|website = [[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0fjnUINvdc| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108131026/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0fjnUINvdc| archive-date=2020-11-08 | url-status=dead|date=23 August 2016|access-date=2016-10-15}}</ref> remains a major challenge.

[[File:Combined Joint U.S., Turkey Patrols2.jpg|thumb|American and Turkish soldiers conduct patrols on the outskirts of Manbij, November 1, 2018]]
Until October 2019, when US and other Western forces withdrew from northern Syria, Manbij was also a hub for [[Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve]] training of new SDF recruits in the fight against ISIL and other [[Islamism|Islamist]] militias in Syria.<ref>{{cite news|title=U.S. military aid is fueling big ambitions for Syria's leftist Kurdish militia|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/us-military-aid-is-fueling-big-ambitions-for-syrias-leftist-kurdish-militia/2017/01/07/6e457866-c79f-11e6-acda-59924caa2450_story.html|date=7 January 2017}}</ref> On 26 February, the United States announced its support for the security of the Manbij Military Council. The United States also reportedly sent special forces and several military convoys to Manbij after the announcement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/us-confirms-support-for-manbij-military-council-despite-turkish-threats/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227045932/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/us-confirms-support-for-manbij-military-council-despite-turkish-threats/|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 February 2017|title=US confirms support for Manbij Military Council despite Turkish threats|first=Paul|last=Antonopoulos|date=26 February 2017}}</ref>

On 12 March 2017, the Legislative Assembly of Manbij approved the elected co-presidents who then took office. During the meeting the departments of the committee members, co-presidents and committees were determined after speeches and evaluations. 13 committees were determined.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://anfenglish.com/news/manbij-democratic-civilian-administration-council-takes-office-18957|title=Manbij Democratic Civilian Administration Council takes office|website=ANF News}}</ref> The 13 new committees include 71 Arabs, 43 Kurds, 10 Turkmen, 8 [[Circassians in Syria|Circassians]], an [[Armenians in Syria|Armenian]] and a [[Chechens|Chechen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://komnews.com/manbij-declares-new-administration-much-contested-city/|title=Manbij declares new administration in much-contested city|work=Kom News|date=12 March 2017|access-date=14 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314154110/https://komnews.com/manbij-declares-new-administration-much-contested-city/|archive-date=14 March 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

On 1 November 2018, [[Turkish Armed Forces|Turkish]] and [[United States Armed Forces|US troops]] began joint patrols around Manbij along the front lines of the [[Operation Euphrates Shield|Euphrates Shield]] [[Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army|rebel]] territory and the [[Manbij Military Council]]. The joint patrols were seen as part of a "roadmap" for easing tensions between militants in the region and tensions between the two [[NATO]] allies.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/2018/11/01/us-turkey-begin-joint-patrols-around-northern-syrian-town-of-manbij/|title=US, Turkey begin joint patrols around northern Syrian town of Manbij|date=1 November 2018}}</ref>

On 28 December 2018, the [[People's Protection Units|YPG]] asked the Assad government via Twitter to protect Manbij from attacks by the [[Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army]]. The Syrian government's media said the Syrian army had entered Manbij, a claim that was disputed by other sources the same day. The [[Syrian Observatory for Human Rights]] reported that the Syrian Army was still outside of the town.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-05|title=Nordsyrien: Assad-Truppen schon in Manbidsch? {{!}} tagesschau.de|url=https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/syrien-tuerkei-offensive-101.html|access-date=2021-09-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305204043/https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/syrien-tuerkei-offensive-101.html|archive-date=2019-03-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=29 December 2018|title=Syrian army says it has entered key city|website=cnn.com|publisher=[[CNN]]|url=https://edition.cnn.com/videos/us/2018/12/29/syria-army-manbij-barbara-starr-dnt-tsr-vpx.cnn}}</ref><ref>[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/syria-army-enters-manbij-state-media-181228092705808.html Syria army enters Kurdish-held Manbij: state media: Reported troop entry into Manbij comes after Kurdish YPG asked for government help in preventing a 'Turkish invasion'.] Aljazeera, 28 December 2018.</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-46701095 Syria war: Government forces 'enter Manbij' amid Turkey threats.] BBC, 28 December 2018.</ref>

On 15 January 2019, [[2019 Manbij bombing|a suicide attack]] in Manbij claimed by ISIL left at least 19 casualties. Among them, four U.S. military personnel were reported dead and three wounded. One of the dead was a [[U.S. Army]] soldier, one was [[U.S. Navy]] sailor [[Shannon M. Kent]], one was a U.S. [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] civilian working in support of the [[Defense Intelligence Agency]], and one was an employee of Valiant Integrated Services, a [[Private military company|contractor]] supporting American operations.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/pentagon-identifies-three-of-the-four-americans-killed-in-syria-suicide-bombing/2019/01/18/5c9f31b8-1b1e-11e9-88fe-f9f77a3bcb6c_story.html|title=Americans slain in Syria attack: A Green Beret, a former SEAL and two language specialists|date=January 18, 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=January 21, 2019}}</ref>

During the [[2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria]], following the withdraw of US and other Western troops from northern Syria, the Syrian Arab Army and [[Russian Military Police]] entered Manbij to preempt a Turkish and TFSA offensive.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/syria-says-government-soldiers-enter-manbij-after-us-troops-withdraw/2019/10/15/d494405a-eeb8-11e9-bb7e-d2026ee0c199_story.html|title=Russia patrolling between Turkish and Syrian forces after U.S. troops withdraw|last=Fahim|first=Kareem|date=October 15, 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=16 October 2019}}</ref>
	
On 6 December 2024, the [[Syrian National Army]] launched [[Manbij offensive (2024)|an offensive]] on Manbij against the Syrian Democratic Forces.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.aljazeera.net/news/2024/12/8/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B6%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A8%D8%AC-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%81 | title=المعارضة السورية تسيطر على منبج بريف حلب وجبلة باللاذقية}}</ref> On 9 December 2024, it was reported, that the SNA took control of the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Syrian opposition groups take control of Manbij in northern Syria, says Turkish security source |url=https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/middleeastnews/822913/syrian-opposition-groups-take-control-of-manbij-in-northern-syria-says/en |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=LBCIV7 |language=en}}</ref> Since the takeover, Manbij has faced a sharp rise in security incidents and looting, mirroring trends in other areas under SNA control. The [[Syrian Observatory for Human Rights|SOHR]] reported that SNA militants had looted the houses of Kurdish residents.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=8 February 2025 |title=“SOHR camera” captures the house of a “Kurdish” civilian in Manbij City after the contents of the house were stolen by factions of the “National Army” |url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/355427/ |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights |language=en-CA}}</ref> On February 3, 2025, a [[Car bomb|VBIED]] detonated near the Hassin station, just outside Manbij City, killing at least 19 people. The following day, residents of the city conducted a [[general strike]] to protest the negligence of pro-Turkish factions in maintaining security and order.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 February 2025 |title=Institute for the Study of War |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-february-3-2025 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=4 February 2025 |title=Following recent events - People start strike in Manbij |url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/355103/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights |language=}}</ref>