Forces Continue Push to Mosul

Foothold in Manbij

In Manbij, Syria, he said, the operation by the Syrian Democratic Forces, led on this attack by the Syrian Arab Coalition, continues to isolate the city and fight to seize a firm foothold there.

Garver said the fighting is tough and the resistance stiff against the partnered forces, and ISIL has tried to counterattack the inner cordon around Manbij and the outer cordon of the isolation force.

“The SDF has repeatedly defeated Daesh's attempts to punch a hole through the cordon,” the colonel said, noting that ISIL continues to use indirect fire and vehicle-borne bombs to disrupt the attack.

Since operations began May 21, the Syrian Arab Coalition has gained more than 1,000 kilometers and has been supported by more than 325 coalition strikes, Garver said.

Further West

Farther west on the Mara line, the vetted Syrian opposition and the affiliated moderate Syrian opposition have seized multiple villages from ISIL on the northern edge of the line, the colonel said, adding that coalition has seen rapid advances against ISIL-held villages of Tall Battal Shamail, Mazra’at Shahin, Qissah Jik and Tall Ahmar.

“We've seen Daesh fighters leaving these previously defended towns to attempt to reinforce Manbij,” he said.

“As the pressure increases against Daesh in Manbij, they are demonstrating more desperation to keep Daesh strategic crossroads open for access outside Syria. And as our partner forces continue to apply pressure to Daesh across Iraq and Syria, we also continue to pressure Daesh functionally as well,” Garver said.

(Source: US Dept of Defense)