Syria’s Manbij Town Caught in Crosshairs of Political, Military Interests

Perched on the curb of Al Amal Hospital in the north Syrian town of Manbij with his head hung low, a man in his 40s weeps for the loss of his wife and daughter killed in an ISIS suicide bombing.

Sahar, Hussein’s 13-year-old daughter, and her mother’s frayed remains were placed in a casket, leaving behind nothing but a few photos and memories with the people they once loved.

Hussein lost his family in Wednesday’s blast, a terrorist attack which claimed the lives of 15 victims, four of which were Americans.

Speaking through a husked voice, Hussein recalls how Sahar’s mother had gone to pick her up from school not knowing that it would be the last time she does—ironically the mother had intended to pick their daughter from the nearby school fearing a deteriorating security situation in the town.

“I wish I had perished with them at the time of the explosion, I would be relieved at this torment,” said Hussein, adding that “what remains are cherished memories” -- memories and a few pictures that will serve as a reminder of the agony of parting for the remainder of his life.

The attack, which struck the heart of the city of Manbaj, caused the largest one-hit casualty for US troops operating in Syria since their deployment in 2015.

The Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), fighting with the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces alliance, captured Manbij from ISIS.

“Americans have ramped up patrols for local security checks after Turkish threats were escalated months ago,” said Abdeljil, a taxi driver who was near the blast site at the time of the attack.

“They (Americans) are used to stop by for buying local foods and drinks. When they entered the restaurant, the suicide bomber blew himself up,” he said remembering the attack.

The attack comes about a month after US President Donald Trump on December 19 announced his decision to pull out all 2,000 troops from Syria, declaring ISIS’ defeat there. More so, Manbij has emerged as a focal point of tensions after Trump’s decision which will remove American presence that has effectively deterred Turkey from attacking Kurdish forces in Syria.

Trump's announcement of a potential withdrawal of US troops was followed by other powers rushing to fill the coming void, including Turkey, Russia and the government of Iranian-backed Syrian regime head Bashar al-Assad. As various interests squabbled in recent months over political and military control of the town, lying near the Turkish border, ISIS seemed to be the sole actor that appeared to have been eliminated from the scene.

A medic, working at the Al Amal Hospital, said the death toll of the ISIS attack was 15, including four Americans, two of which were soldiers, a civilian interpreter and a contractor, as well as two members of the local Manbij military council accompanying them.

“Windows of the hospital and the doors were almost removed by the bomb blast (both the hospital and the site targeted are located in central Manbij). After a few moments, bodies and those wounded were being rushed in for medical attention. The entire team hurled to the emergency room,” one of the attending physicians told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Manbij and its surroundings include bases and military headquarters for the US-led international coalition and have rarely come under attack after combatting and expelling ISIS in 2015.

Abdul-Jabbar, 30, who owns a dairy products market, said the suicide bombing drove demand to the ground, causing him to temporarily close shop. “Market movement is weak and there is almost no selling and buying.”

This comes after Turkey stepped up threats to carry out a long-threatened offensive to take Manbij from Kurdish control. Ankara has amassed some 8,000 fighters belonging to Turkish-allied Syrian extremist factions along the line of the nearby Sajur River, threatening to enter Manbij in a few days.

Ibrahim, 57, who owns a gold shop and a money exchange shop, said that most of the city's residents are against the Turkish army taking over the town.

“Areas controlled by Turkish-backed factions are notorious for pillaging, violence, and disorder, Manbij now is run effectively by its own people and its local security council,” Ibrahim explained.