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Syria Situation Report: August 12-18, 2016
![](https://understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumbnail/public/August12-18%20EDITS%20COT-01.png?itok=DaZIsvl8)
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.