US-backed Syrian fighters seize Manbij from ISIS

Syria: US backed Syrian fighters have seized a key Islamic State (ISIS) stronghold in northern Syria and freed hundreds of civilians the extremists had used as human shields after two months of heavy fighting , Syrian Kurdish officials and an opposition activist group said on Saturday.

Speaking to The Associated Press, Nasser Haj Mansour, of the predominantly Kurdish Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) said the town of Manbij “is under full control,” adding that operations were ongoing to locate any IS militants who might have stayed behind.

In May, the SDF launched its offensive to capture Manbij under the backing of U.S.-led air strikes.

Video footage posted online showed that immediately after the town was captured by on Friday, many residents were seen celebrating int the streets as some men were seen cutting their beards with scissors while women were able to open their faces.
The Islamic State group had imposes a harsh and extreme version of Islam on the territory under its control, including a mandatory dress code.
One young man was heard was heard in Manbij square shouting;

“May God destroy them. They slaughtered us,” “May they not live for a minute.”

Also a photo posted online by Kurdish activists, saw a young woman purposely uncovered her face while smoking a cigarette and waving a victory sign.

Women were made to wear long black cloaks that covered all but their eyes, while all adult men were forced to grow beards and smoking banned under the the groups reign.

“Military operations will continue until these villages are clean,” Haj Mansour said.