Up to 20,000 People Leave Homes Amid US-Backed Offensive in Syria’s Aleppo

A US-supported offensive by Kurds to liberate areas surrounding the city of Manbij in Syria’s Aleppo province from terrorists has resulted in some 20,000 people fleeing their homes and an estimated 216,000 people being put at risk of displacement, the UN Humanitarian Agency (UNOCHA) said in a report released Monday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On May 30, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) backed by the United States began an offensive on Manbij located along the Turkish border.

The forces have already secured the western lodgments of the Euphrates river, extending the defense line forward over 100 sq. km., according to CENTCOM.

"As a result of rapid gains and intensified aerial activity, civilians from Menbij town and nearby villages have moved mostly towards northern towns in Menbij sub district, the Jarablous border crossing point, west towards NSAG held territories, and to a lesser extent — further south to villages dotted along the Euphrates River. According to informed sources, up to 20,000 people may have already [been] displaced," the report said.

According to the report, anti-terrorist offensives underway in the Tabqa region could lead to more displacement in Raqqa governorate.