Protests in Manbij | Residents demonstrate in several villages, while tense calm prevails in the city

Aleppo province: SOHR activists have reported several demonstration after Friday Prayer in villages in Manbij countryside like Hodhod village, as the demonstrators called for the improvement of services and economy and the suspension of the mandatory conscription, although the campaign of mandatory conscription has been already suspended in Manbij. Meanwhile, the city of Manbij has experienced no demonstrations, while Asayish forces were seen deployed.

 

A few hours ago, SOHR sources reported the entry of a large number of military troops affiliated to the Internal Security Forces (Asayish), Rapid Response Forces and Counter-terrorism Forces. According to SOHR sources, over 4,000 members entered the city this morning escprted by tens of armoured vehicles. This development coincides with calls for staging demonstrations this afternoon.

 

On Wednesday, SOHR sources reported that tribes’ elders in Manbij area and representatives of the Autonomous Administration have issued a statement following a meeting between the two sides to discuss the dramatic developments in the region in the past two days. The statement, of which the Syrian Observatory obtained a copy, reads “Manbij city and countryside experience critical situation which needs all of us to undertake moral and humanitarian responsibilities in order to preserve the blood and keep the safe and security of Manbij city and countryside and of people living there. After the dramatic events in our city in the past two days, which left casualties of our people who went out to streets to call for rightful demands, we, the civil and military administration and the tribe’s elders and dignitaries, console our people in Manbij city and countryside, and wish the injured people a speedy recovery. In accordance with the people’s demands, an enlarged meeting was held and included all tribes in Manbij and the civil and military administration in the interest of staving off strife and preventing bloodshed, in which several points have been agreed upon as follows:

 

The suspension of the Self-Defence Forces’ campaign in Manbij city and countryside and referring it to consideration and discussion.

 

The release of all detainees arrested during the recent actions.

 

The formation of commission in order to investigate the merits according to which gunfire took place and holding everyone found involved in this gunfire accountable.”

 

On the other hand, tribes which support the uprising against mandatory conscription in Manbij and reject the repression practiced by the security services against the peaceful demonstrators and the use of live bullets during these demonstrations have met in the region, stressing on the fact that their demands have been personalized in the rejection of the use of power and live ammunition against the peaceful protests in Manbij city and countryside.

 

We, at the Syrian Observatory, condemn the dramatic actions in Manbij city and countryside, regarding the death of six civilians and the injury of others in gunfire by the Internal Security Forces (Asayish), and call for starting an immediate investigation, holding perpetrators accountable and responding to the popular demands.

 

It is worth noting that the number of demonstrators who were killed in gunfire by Asayish Forces in the past 48 hours rose to six, four of whom were killed yesterday at al-Khattaf checkpoint in eastern Manbij, one was killed yesterday in Manbij city, while the six was killed on Monday in al-Hodhod village. These demonstrators were killed in the demonstrations protesting mandatory conscription in the ranks of the Self-Defence Forces and calling for allowing the exportation of cement and increasing fuel amounts allocated to Manbij.