US-backed fighters in Syria surround Islamic State stronghold

BEIRUT — U.S.-backed fighters in Syria on Thursday closed off all major roads leading to the northern Syrian town of Manbij, a stronghold of the Islamic State, and surrounded it from three sides, officials and opposition activists said.



Since the SDF offensive began on May 31, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says 132 Islamic State militants, 21 SDF fighters and 37 civilians have been killed there.

The official with the French Defense Ministry, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the record, said its forces are with SDF fighters who are fighting against the Islamic State.