Syria Situation Report: August 12-18, 2016

 Russia sortied Tu-22 M3 ‘Backfire’ strategic bombers and Su-34 ‘Fullback’ fighter-bombers from the base, claiming to conduct airstrikes against alleged Islamic State targets in Deir e-Zor Province as well as Jabhat Fateh a-Sham (formerly Jabhat a-Nusra) targets in Aleppo and Idlib Provinces. And the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) - a coalition consisting of the Syrian Kurdish YPG and allied opposition groups - seized full control over Manbij after clearing the Islamic State from the last remaining districts of the city center. A large number of remaining IS fighters withdrew towards the north in a convoy containing several hundred civilians. Operations to clear the city of sleeper cells and explosives remain ongoing. The campaign began on May 31.  Read this SITREP in full here.