U.S. officials see the recapture of an Islamic State stronghold in Syria — the city of Manbij — as a model for future U.S.-backed operations against the murderous terror group, and especially for supporting a march by allied forces on Raqqa, the group’s “capital.”
Fighters in the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a U.S.-supported group that includes Kurdish militias and local Arab groups, regained control of Manbij, near the Turkish border and what had been a key logistics point for the Islamic State.
U.S. officials said the offensive showed the value of the small force of U.S. Special Operations troops on the ground in Syria, as they coordinated U.S. airstrikes and advised Syrian forces during intense urban fighting.
“Our operating concept has been validated,” a senior defense official told The Washington Post. “Utilizing local forces and our own Special Operations forces, partnered with overwhelming coalition air power, and enough time — the Islamic State really doesn’t have an answer to it.”
To read The Post’s story, hit this link.