Manbij (Minbic / Mumbuj)

Manbij (Arabic: منبج‎; Kurdish: Minbic‎) is a city in the Democratic Federation of Northern Syria.

In the 2004 census by the Syrian Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Manbij had a population of nearly 100,000. The residents of Manbij are ethnically diverse, including Arabs, Kurds, Circassians and Chechens, and includes followers of the Naqshbandi Sufi order.

Manbij has a long and rich history, stretching well back into antiquity.

Prior to and in the early years of the Syrian Civil War, the city’s socio-political life was dominated by its main tribes. Tribal leaders served as the mediators and arbiters of major disputes in Manbij, while the state’s security forces largely dealt with petty offences.

On 20 July 2012, Manbij fell to local rebel forces, who then administered the city. ln December, there was an election to appoint a local council.

In January 2014, forces from Daesh (The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant / ISIL) took over the city after ousting the rebels. The city became a hub for trading in looted artefacts and archaeological digging equipment.

In June 2016, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched an offensive to capture Manbij, and by June 8 had fully encircled the city. On 12 August the SDF established full control over Manbij after a two-month battle.

By 15 August 2016, thousands of previously displaced citizens of Manbij were reported to be returning to the city.

 

On 19 August 2016, the Manbij Military Council issued a written statement announcing it had taken over the security of Manbij city centre and villages from the SDF, of which it is a part.

On 12 March 2017, the Legislative Assembly of Manbij approved the elected co-presidents who then took office. During the meeting the departments of the committee members, co-presidents and committees were determined after speeches and evaluations. 13 committees where determined, whose members include 71 Arabs, 43 Kurds, 10 Turkmen, 8 Circassians, and an Armenian and a Chechen.

Manbij is currently self-administered by the Manbij City Council, as part of the Democratic Federation of Northern Syria.

Women in NE Syria play great role in shaping AANES structure

Women have played a prominent role in Northeast Syria since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, starting from cities like Hasakah, Qamishli, Afrin, Kobani, and extending to Raqqa, Tabqa, Manbij, and Deir ez-Zor. They have actively participated in various sectors, including military, social, political, economic, and others.

Raqqa Canton assemblies and communes hold first meeting

Raqqa Canton General Assembly held its first meeting with the assemblies and communes in Raqqa, Manbij, Tabqa and Deir ez-Zor, and decided to expand the struggle to ensure freedom for Abdullah Öcalan.

AANES’ Social Contract, 2023 Edition

The Social Contract of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the North and East Syria Region

Women of Manbij earning living from fishing

Women of Manbij catch fish at the banks of Euphrates to earn a living.

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So far, 11,804 fighters have died in the defense of Northern and Eastern Syria. New ones are added every day due to the attacks. The Council of the Families of Martyrs takes care of the relatives in eight committees and 199 municipalities.

An Overview of AANES Women’s Institutions in Manbij

The case of Manbij, liberated from ISIS by the SDF in August 2016, shows how women in a multi-ethnic Syrian city used AANES [the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria] frameworks to build institutions, take on leadership roles, and organize in their communities to change discriminatory attitudes.

Manbij Women Develop Their Own Economy

With a view to empowering women and developing themselves economically, the Women's Committee opened the Women's Economy Center in Manbij city and its rural areas on 20 November, 2017 as a starting point for launching plans to activate the role of women in the economic sphere, and confirm of [their] basic role and [their] achievements in work at all levels.

Beit Al-Barakah Co-operative Prepared Winter Supplies in Two Months

The ten workers in Al Barakah Co-operative are about to finish making the winter supplies, such as dried vegetables, pickles, pumpkin jam and olives. The Women’s Council announced the formation of this co-operative, in co-ordination with the Committee of Economy and Municipalities. The co-operative is called Beit Al Barakah [House of Delight], and it aims to get women

The First Women’s Co-op in Manbij: The House of Delight

The Women’s Committee in Manbij formed a co-operative for women on 6 September in co-ordination with the Economic Committee. It included a number of women who will make winter foods and distribute them to the markets. The co-operative includes 10 workers who joined as members by buying 16 shares.

An Important Project Develops Women’s Economy

The Women's Committee of the Civil Democratic Administration in Manbij started working in the sewing workshop which was named on behalf of the Martyr Sakina Asalieh.

How North and East Syria’s Co-operatives and Autonomous Structures Handle a Pandemic

North and East Syria faces serious challenges in the fight against COVID-19. 600,000 IDPs and refugees live in camps across the region, their situation already precarious without a pandemic. Ongoing attacks by Turkish forces, Turkey-backed militias, and ISIS complicate the security situation and threaten essential civilian infrastructure like water lines. According to the Rojava Information Center,

The Role of Co-operative Societies in Developing Rojava’s Economy

The Economic Committee in Manbij has opened many co-operatives to improve the economy and curb monopoly.