Thousands of jubilant Syrian civilians returned Saturday to the ruined northern city of Manbij, a day after U.S.-backed fighters drove the last Islamic State extremists from their stronghold near the Turkish border. Video from Kurdistan 24 television showed scores of vehicles making their way through rubble-strewn streets. Then came crowds of men, women and children, returning on foot from the countryside, where they took refuge while fighters from the Syria Democratic Forces fought to liberate the once-tranquil city. The SDF has said Islamic State was using civilians as human shields.
Thousands Return to Syrian City of Manbij After IS Flees
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A civilian carries a child as he walks with others after they were evacuated by the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters from an Islamic State-controlled neighbourhood of Manbij, in Aleppo Governorate, Syria, Aug. 12, 2016. The SDF has said Islamic State was using civilians as human shields.
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Women carry newborn babies while reacting after they were evacuated by the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters from an Islamic State-controlled neighborhood of Manbij, in Aleppo Governorate, Syria, Aug. 12, 2016.
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A Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) fighter helps civilians who were evacuated by the SDF from an Islamic State-controlled neighborhood of Manbij, in Aleppo Governorate, Syria, Aug. 12, 2016.
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A girl reacts while walking with women after they were evacuated with others by the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters from an Islamic State-controlled neighborhood of Manbij, in Aleppo Governorate, Syria, Aug. 12, 2016.