The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights described the clashes as “violent between both parties inside Manbij city, accompanied by shelling exchange between both parties.”
At least eight ISIS militants were killed in the shelling, reported the Observatory, noting that there were an unknown number of casualties within the SDF as well.
About 200 civilians were able to flee the city Friday morning, the Observatory said, but “a woman in her twenties was killed by a mine explosion while trying to get her children out of the city.”
The Islamic State has planted a large number of explosives throughout the city, endangering the civilian population and slowing the SDF’s progress into the city.
ISIS is also using the civilian population in the city as human shields and reports of high civilian casualties killed in coalition airstrikes have emerged over the past week. The United States have said they will investigate the allegations but will not suspend airstrikes on the city.
"Operations continue against Daesh [ISIS]," said Army Colonel Christopher Garver, US military command spokesperson in Iraq and Syria.
