Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Syria rebels 'cut off IS escape route' through Manbij
Kurdish and Arab fighters say they have liberated the north Syrian town of Manbij from so-called Islamic State, cutting off its route to Europe.
The coalition of militias fought 73 days to drive out IS and say they freed 2,000 civilians being used as human shields on the final day.
IS captured Manbij, close to the Turkish border, two years ago.
Roads to Syria's embattled second city, Aleppo, and to the IS capital, Raqqa, pass through the town.
"After the liberation of Manbij, IS members won't be able to freely travel to and from Europe anymore," said Syrian Kurdish leader Salih Muslim.
<snip>
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-37063857
