Manbij was liberated by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Manbij Military Council on 12 August 2016.

Three days later, on 15 August, the announcement was given of the total liberation of the city from DAESH (ISIS) mercenaries.

The Manbij operation was dubbed Operation Martyr Commander Faysal Abu Layla by the SDF.

The main goal of the offensive was to cut off DAESH’s last supply routes from Turkey, and to prevent DAESH mercenaries from escaping across the border.

After capturing Manbij city on 12 August, the SDF announced that the offensive would continue until the whole countryside around Manbij was freed.

Two years on and the city has been enjoying a relative calm, setting up its own Autonomous Administration institutions and working hard to rebuild the main services.

The photos of this gallery have been taken by ANHA on the second anniversary of the liberation and show the progress in the reconstruction of the city which was heavily destroyed by the DAESH mercenaries as can still be appreciated.