US-backed Syrian Defense Forces have encircled an ISIS-held city in Syria and are moving in methodically to root the group out as hundreds begin to flee. The majority-Arab SDF forces surrounded Manbij from all sides after a two-week advance on the ISIS-held city located near the Turkish border, Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said. The SDF forces have received limited support from Kurdish forces in the region, and have been assisted by dozens of US airstrikes. On June 12, six US-led coalition strikes hit five ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions and a weapons cache, according to a US Central Command release. The SDF forces making the push into the city have called on the international community to “turn their attention to the people which have been liberated,” saying there are currently no humanitarian organizations in the area, reported Reuters.
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
