The offensive by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces is pushing up against the key ISIS-held city of Manbij today, and the UN is warning that with some 20,000 already displaced in this latest offensive, over 200,000 more could soon follow.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that the civilians are likely to face significant impediments in relocating from the contested city. Though early refugees are fleeing to the area around ISIS-held Jarabulous, others are expected to move further west toward al-Bab and Azaz, an area where ISIS is launching its own offensive, and sparking a whole different refugee crisis.
That’s been a recurring problem throughout the Syrian Civil War, with several millions having fled abroad and untold millions of others displaced internally, with new offensives meaning new displaced every day.
Though the YPG has insisted Manbij would retain local governance, Kurdish involvement in the offensive is fueling a lot of the exodus, with many fearing purges of the local Arab population if the city falls. Previous towns captured by the YPG have had reports of such purges.
Recurring problem is that nobody has challenged ISIS seriously. Wuth their mitary infrastructure intact — they can occupy anything for as long as they want. Why are Kurds attacking wigh artillery that is guaranteed to cause civillian losses and will create anymosity between Kureds a d ordinary Syrians. Withoiu bombing ISIS command crnters, weapons storage, transport, gas and food storage, supply routes. — this is a joke. Russia sith Syrian Army liberated over 400 similar townships held by Al-Nusra, and population has returned in spite of damage — now the can get aid. This US supported move against ISIS is making no sense. Whatdoever. ISIS supply routes are still alive and bustling all the way from Syria, a cross Iraq to Saudi Arabia. Ans silence. But much has been talked of supply from Turkey, a trully insignificant route for all lractical purposes. Yes it is a sexy topic as most European would be rebels/terrorists come via Turkey. But heavy duty ISIS supply is from Iraq ISIS occupied territory that borders with Saudi Arabia. Those borders nobody controls. US can with air power control Iraq border in desert where it can see anything that moves — and disable ISIS immediately. But clearly the goal is to continue fighting — it soes not matter who against whom, for as long as there is no peace and wait hundred years if necessary until Syria collapses. Or our finances collapse. Neocons have no plan B for as long as Saudi Arabia greeses the supply routes that stoke endless conflict.