Thread by @ObaidaHitto

People in Manbij are protesting YPG terror group’s forced conscription policies along with lack of bread and fuel. Multiple protesters killed and injured. Reports coming in that locals have taken two villages from YPG control: Hudhud and Yasti.

Protesters taking over a YPG terror grouping HQ in Yasti

Manbij is a majority Arab region and was supposed to be cleared of YPG terrorists under two separate deals made between 🇹🇷 🇺🇸 & 🇷🇺 YPG never left. The region is adjacent to SNA controlled areas & is critical for securing trade east west trade routes.

Tensions cranking up this afternoon despite a 48 hour curfew set in place by the YPG terror group protesters attacked a checkpoint and lit it on fire east of Manbij. Khattaf Checkpoint. Multiple people injured after the YPG terror group intervened using armored vehicles.

Protests continue today in Manbij. At least one more person killed and many others injured by YPG terrorists opening fire. Protesters main grievances are regarding YPGs forces recruitment policies but also lack of resources including brews and fuel.

Appears as if the guy on the phone is speaking to a tribal leader “Sheikh İbrahim” asking him whose side he’s on? The predominantly Arab region of NE Syria has been particularly oppressed by YPG terrorist and their racist policies.

Tensions in Manbij boiled over as the YPG terror group has been carrying out a 2 week long forced recruitment campaign across NE Syria. Just a few days ago they took 80 young men from Raqqa. YPG forces young men and children to join their ranks and arrest non compliant people

Arab tribes are capable of mobilizing thousands of armed men to face off with YPG terrorists. Reality is that tribal members have divided loyalty with most tribes having members that are part of the opposition and others loyal to the Assad regime. Tribal politics is priority 👇

I recently wrote an article on this topic which is a peak into the world of Syrian tribal politics: politicstoday.org/syrias-tribal-…

These are large scale protest movements over the last couple days. Today’s actions are more aggressive with protesters cutting off main roads leading in and out of Manbij.

Protesters and YPG terrorists exchange fire inside Manbij City today making this the most notable escalation since the beginning of the movement.

Significant escalation in Manbain with at least 6 killed and 25 injured by YPG terrorists

Opposition Syrian National Army reinforcements arriving on the outskirts of Manbij. Not clear if an operation to push YPG terrorists out of Manbij is on the table but the situation is escalating fast.

Syrian National Army reinforcements are significant in this case since YPG presence will be seriously depleted as it deals with the civilian insurrection.

There is widespread support for an operation to retake Manbij from YPG terrorists. Tens of thousands of people displaced from Manbij live in opposition controlled areas. It is also a critical choke point for east/west and north/south trade and travel inside Syria.

#BreakingNews Update on the situation in Manbij after a long day of tensions. @TRTWorldNow @trtworld

https://twitter.com/trtworldnow/status/1399791606014771200

Strong statements coming from the Tay Tribe and the Association of Independent Syrian Kurds. Both statements refer to the YPG terror group as “separatists” and both statements express full support for the civilians and their struggle against the terror groups actions.

YPG affiliated TG pages suggested two things following developments in Manbij:
- Handing over whoever refuses forced recruitment into YPG ranks to the Assad regime
- A direct call to the Manbij Military Council to hand over people to Assad b/c they’re likely wanted by Assad

Protesters continue taking action around Manbij. The Damalkha tribe cut the road between Khafsa and Tishrin Dam.

Locals reporting that the YPG terror group prevented the delivery of fresh vegetables and dairy products to Manbij today

Thamer al Ajour, a tribal leader in the Albu Bana tribe in a recorded message asks others to not engage in negotiations with any party without first consulting with the tribal leaders and formulating a unified stance amongst all the tribes of Manbij. Multiple actors at play atm.

Protests continue for a third day. This is a group of protesters in Um al Sateh village where they’ve cut off the old Aleppo road

Meeting of Arab tribal members in Hadhud Village discussing the developing situation in and around Manbij

Some local reports suggest that the YPG could announce that they’re going to cancel their forced recruitment policy and use a different mechanism to recruit people into their ranks. Pressure from protesters has forced the YPGs hand to consider such an option. Waiting for details.