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.

About Zenobiya: The Arabic Women’s Union of North and East Syria

The Zenobiya Women’s Union has been the umbrella organization of Arab women in North and East Syria since 2021 and is therefore primarily represented in the regions of Raqqa, Tabqa, Minbic and Deir ez-Zor.

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The Democratic Autonomous Administration of North-Eastern Syria (DAANES) is building an alternative education system under siege from multiple powers, defying the control of the Ba’athist education system of the Assad regime as well as the Turkish occupation forces and their proxies. The alternative system has accomplished such measures as the reintroduction of the Kurdish language for young students—drastically altering the way of life in the region. However, building institutions of higher education in an area where many native Kurds could not even have Syrian citizenship two decades ago poses a major challenge.

Evîn Siwêd: The Autonomous Administration’s solution strategy is clear

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‘Our main goal is to create an equal, just and democratic society based on women’s freedom’

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Politics of the scorched earth continue in whole Kurdistan

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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

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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

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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.