Turkish forces and the allied Syrian National Army (SNA) factions have been shelling Kurdish populated villages in the countryside of Manbij (Minbic) northeast of Aleppo and close to the Turkish border, reported Manbij Military Council on Saturday. The attacks have caused extensive farmland to catch fire, particularly between the villages of Ulashli and al-Boghaz in western Manbij.
Manbij Military Council, which is affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), stated that the fires had caused significant damage to agricultural areas, a vital source of livelihood for thousands. “Deliberate targeting by Turkish forces continues to ignite hectares of agricultural land along the Ain Issa line, with fires spreading uncontrollably,” said a military council spokesperson.
In a related incident, the village of al-Jat in northeastern Manbij was reportedly shelled with ten artillery rounds. Several other parts of northern Manbij also experienced similar attacks, leading to widespread destruction of fields and infrastructure. The continuation of these aggressive actions has raised alarm about the sustainability of food resources in the region.
“These attacks not only destroy vital infrastructure but also jeopardise the entire harvest of the region,” the military council said. The ongoing conflict has regularly seen Turkish forces conduct artillery bombardments against Manbij, with recent attacks causing massive fires that further exacerbate the humanitarian situation.