U.S. military forces walk toward their next coordination point during an independent, coordinated patrol along the demarcation line outside Manbij, Syria, July 18, 2018. The U.S. and Turkish militaries conduct More
In 2016, 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing MQ-1B Predator and MQ-9 Reaper aircrews assisted coalition partners in the reclamation of Manbij, Syria, from Islamic State of Iraq and Syria forces. Pilots and More
A U.S. Special Forces operator advises a local female Manbij Military Council trainee during marksmanship training Feb. 21, 2017, at Sanaa Training Center in Northwest Syria. This is the first cycle of women to More
A tactical vehicle is used during a security patrol near Manbij, Syria, June 24, 2018. These independent, coordinated patrols are done in conjunction with Turkish military to continue the peace and stability in More
A U.S. vehicle passes through a blockade created to keep unwanted military vehicles off the road leading toward Manbij, Syria, June 20, 2018. The U.S. and Turkish militaries recently began performing reassuranc More
A U.S. Soldier uses a radio to communicate with Turkish military forces during their independent, coordinated patrol along the demarcation line outside Manbij, Syria, June 28, 2018. These patrols are designed t More
A U.S. tactical vehicle provides security at a blockade positioned outside Manbij, Syria July 6, 2018. The blockade helps U.S. forces maintain security on the road to Manbij while conducting coordinated, indepe More
Men repair a road in a village outside Manbij, Syria, July 11, 2018. Reconstruction and maintenance efforts are a sign of the safety and stability that has returned to the region since the Syrian Democratic For More
U.S. tactical vehicles provide security during an independent, coordinated patrol outside Manbij, Syria, July 12, 2018. U.S. and Turkish forces patrol opposite sides of the demarcation line to help maintain saf More
U.S. forces walk toward a coordination point to link up with visual and radio communication with Turkish military forces outside Manbij, Syria, July 16, 2018. The U.S. and Turkish militaries conduct these patro More
U.S. forces take a knee at a coordination point during an independent, coordinated patrol between the U.S. and Turkish militaries along the demarcation line outside Manbij, Syria, July 20, 2018. These patrols r More
Turkish forces are seen in the distance during an independent, coordinated patrol outside Manbij, Syria, July 22, 2018. U.S. and Turkish forces conduct these patrols to maintain stability in the region. (U.S. A More
U.S. personnel provide security during an independent, coordinated patrol outside Manbij, Syria, July 24, 2018. U.S. and Turkish forces conduct these patrols along the demarcation line outside the city of Manbi More
U.S. personnel use tactical vehicles to provide security during independent, coordinated patrols with Turkish forces along the demarcation line outside Manbij, Syria, July 28, 2018. Patrols reassure the local p More
The sun sets outside a soccer stadium in Manbij, Syria, August 1, 2018. Daily life has resumed since the defeat of ISIS in the region. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Nicole Paese)
Local children sit outside their home in a village outside Manbij, Syria, August 1, 2018. U.S. and Turkish military forces perform independent, coordinated patrols along the demarcation line outside Manbij to h More
U.S. Soldiers walk to a coordination point during an independent, coordinated patrol outside Manbij, Syria, August 3, 2018. U.S. and Turkish forces conduct these patrols along the demarcation line to ensure the More
A member of the Manbij Military Council reloads his magazine at a range near Tishreen, Syria, July 30, 2018. Members of the MMC were assessed on the fundamentals of marksmanship by Coalition advisors. (U.S. Arm More
A U.S. Soldier speaks with local children during a patrol in their village outside Manbij, Syria, August 7, 2018. During the patrol, U.S. Soldiers asked children about daily life and what they aspire to be when More
Larry Bartlett, Senior Advisor for the Syrian Transition Assistance Response Team, shakes hands with Welat Eto, a liaison in the joint operations center in Manbij, Syria, August 9, 2018. The joint operations ce More
U.S. Soldiers greet members of the Manbij Military Council prior to a meeting with Larry Bartlett, Senior Advisor for the Syrian Transition Assistance Response Team in Manbij, Syria, August 9, 2018. Bartlet and More
Members of the Manbij Military Council stack along a wall as they prepare to clear a room during an assessment of close quarter battle drills in Manbij, Syria, August 10, 2018. Members of the MMC are working t More
U.S. personnel provide security from a tactical vehicle in a local village during an independent patrol outside Manbij, Syria, August 11, 2018. These independent, coordinated patrols are conducted with Turkish More
A Manbij Military Council member prepares to kick a soccer ball during a soccer match in Manbij, Syria, August 11, 2018. The MMC was established in 2016 to ensure peace and stability in Manbij. (U.S. Army photo More
A child pushes a cart of peppers through a market in Manbij, Syria, August 12, 2018. Markets are flourishing since the Syrian Democratic Forces defeated ISIS two years ago. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Nicole Paese)
A U.S. Soldier pulls security from a hill during a patrol outside Manbij, Syria, August 13, 2018. U.S. and Turkish military forces are conducting independent, coordinated patrols along the demarcation line to h More
Before photo of the main hallway at the Muhammad Zaydan School in Manbij, Syria, taken on Aug. 14, 2018. The Muhammad Zaydan School is one of the oldest and most well-known schools in Manbij before Daesh took o More
Members of the Manbij Military Council review patrol formations in Manbij, Syria, August 16, 2018. The formations included the wedge, modified wedge and file. Members of the MMC are working to strengthen their More
U.S. Soldiers establish communication with Turkish forces during an independent, coordinated patrol outside Manbij, Syria, Aug. 17, 2018. Patrols are conducted with Turkish forces, on their respective sides of More
Dr. Ismail Mohammed, plastic surgeon for the Kobane Military Hospital, speaks with a team of doctors and physical therapists about plans to use newly divested equipment from the Coalition in Kobane, Syria, Augu More
U.S. personnel use tactical vehicles to provide security during a patrol outside Manbij, Syria, August 19, 2018. U.S forces conduct independent, coordinated patrols with Turkish military forces along the demarc More
A Manbij Military Council member provides mounted security in the city streets of Manbij, Syria, August 21, 2018. The MMC is a security force dedicated to ensuring the continued safety and security in Manbij. ( More
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk, Commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, is greeted by Sohail Darwish Wali, the Education Committee Co-chairman for the Civil Administration of Manbij, More
A Manbij Military Council (MMC) Quick Reaction Force (QRF) soldier demonstrates the proper procedure to apply a bandage during a medical skills assessment in Manbij, Syria, Sept. 7, 2018. The MMC-QRF works with More
GAZIANTEP, Turkey – A U.S. Soldier discusses the 240B machine gun to a group of Turkish soldiers during a rehearsal event, here, Oct. 9, 2018. These two militaries have been conducting Independent Coordinated P More
U.S. and Turkish Soldiers carry a simulated casualty to a helicopter during rehearsals at Gaziantep, Turkey, Oct. 13, 2018. The rehearsal allowed the two countries to strengthen joint tactics before engaging in More
A coalition advisor speaks with Mona Tai, the health committee deputy for the Civil Administration of Manbij (CAM) in Manbij, Syria, Oct. 13, 2018. The CAM is responsible for the civil governance of Manbij and More
Workers cut and clear tree branches interfering with power lines at a power substation in Manbij, Syria, Oct. 15, 2018. About 20 Civil Administration employees work together to fix facilities and improve operat More
A Civil Administration of Manbij member speaks about the progress in providing medical care to more people within Manbij during the opening of the Muhtarek Clinic in Manbij, Syria, Oct. 18, 2018. The Civil Admi More
A U.S. Soldier surveils the area during a combined joint patrol in Manbij, Syria Nov. 1, 2018. This operation ensures they can safely work with partner forces to maintain the safety and security of the region a More
U.S. Soldiers gather for a brief during a combined joint patrol rehearsal in Manbij, Syria, Nov. 7, 2018. Continued assistance to partner forces is essential for setting conditions for regional stability. The C More
A U.S. Soldier walks toward a tactical vehicle after completing a successful combined joint patrol rehearsal in Manbij, Syria, Nov. 7, 2018. Turkey and U.S. forces will continue combined joint patrols as they w More
Combined Joint Task Force – The U.S. and Turkey conduct a convoy during a joint combined patrol in Manbij, Syria, Nov. 8, 2018. Turkish and U.S. military forces conduct joint combined patrols to ensure security More
U.S. tactical vehicles travel along a road during an independent, coordinated patrol with Turkish military forces along the demarcation line outside Manbij, Syria, July 18, 2018. This is the 16th patrol between More
A local female Manbij Military Council trainee fires a 7.62mm PK machine gun during marksmanship training Feb. 21, 2017, at Sanaa Training Center in Northwest Syria. The instruction is 20 days long to include b More
U.S. Forces dismount from their tactical vehicles while conducting a security patrol outside Manbij, Syria, June 24, 2018. These patrols are reaffirm the Coalition’s dedication to the lasting defeat of ISIS and More
A U.S. soldier uses binoculars to look toward the demarcation line near a village outside Manbij, Syria, June 26, 2018. These patrols are done in coordination with Turkish military forces, who patrol on the opp More
U.S. Army Soldiers provide security during an independent, coordinated patrol near the demarcation line near Manbij, Syria, June 28, 2018. The U.S. is conducting these patrols with Turkish military forces to co More
A U.S. soldier operates a frontend loader to transport dirt at a blockade outside Manbij, Syria, June 6, 2018. U.S. forces established the blockade to maintain security on the road to Manbij while U.S. and Turk More
U.S. service members prepare to communicate with Turkish military forces during an independent, coordinated patrol outside Manbij, Syria, July 12, 2018. U.S. and Turkish forces patrol opposite sides of the dema More
A U.S. Soldier uses binoculars to make visual contact with Turkish military forces during their independent, coordinated patrols outside Manbij, Syria, July 16, 2018. The U.S. and Turkey conduct these patrols o More
Local children play with a drum and watch as a U.S. Soldier pulls security during an independent, coordinated patrol outside Manbij, Syria, July 20, 2018. These patrols between U.S. and Turkish forces help rein More
U.S. service members observe Turkish forces at a pre-planned checkpoint during a patrol outside Manbij, Syria, July 22, 2018. The military forces are conducting coordinated, independent patrols along the demar More
A group of U.S. Soldiers look out at the demarcation line during a security patrol outside Manbij, Syria, June 24, 2018. U.S. and Turkish military forces conduct these patrols to deescalate tensions between for More
A U.S. Soldier checks radio communication with U.S. forces during an independent, coordinated patrol outside Manbij, Syria, July 28, 2018. These patrols, conducted with Turkish forces, reinforce safety and sta More
Locals herd sheep in a village where U.S. and Turkish forces conduct independent, coordinated patrols outside Manbij, Syria, August 1, 2018. Daily life has resumed since the region’s liberation from ISIS. (U.S. More
Local children stand near a U.S. tactical vehicle outside of a soccer stadium in Manbij, Syria, August 1, 2018. A sense of normalcy has returned since the defeat of ISIS in the region. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. More
A U.S. Soldier looks through binoculars during a patrol by U.S. forces in a village outside Manbij, Syria, August 3, 2018. These independent, coordinated patrols by U.S. and Turkish forces are to ensure the las More
A member of the Manbij Military Council secures ammunition to reload his magazine at a range near Tishreen, Syria, July 30, 2018. Members of the MMC were assessed on their ability to zero and qualify their weap More
A group of U.S. Soldiers observe Turkish forces on the other side of the demarcation line during a patrol outside Manbij, Syria, August 7, 2018. U.S. and Turkish military forces conduct independent, coordinated More
Larry Bartlett, Senior Advisor for the Syrian Transition Assistance Response Team, meets with members of the Manbij Military Council on the two-year anniversary of their liberation from ISIS in Manbij, Syria, A More
Larry Bartlett, Senior Advisor for the Syrian Transition Assistance Response Team, speaks with Sheik Farouk al-Mashi, Co-chair for the Civil Administration of the Manbij legislative council, Manbij, Syria, Augu More
Members of the Manbij Military Council enter a room during an assessment of close quarter battle drills in Manbij, Syria, August 10, 2018. The members of the MMC were assessed on their proficiency with CQB and More
A local man plays soccer with two children at a stadium in Manbij, Syria, August 11, 2018. Attendance at local sporting events has increased and the city has returned to normalcy since the Syrian Democratic For More
U.S. personnel use tactical vehicles to provide security during a patrol outside Manbij, Syria, August 11, 2018. These independent, coordinated patrols are conducted with Turkish military forces who stay on the More
A man serves ice cream to two children at a market in Manbij, Syria, August 12, 2018. Normalcy is returning to Manbij since the Syrian Democratic Forces defeated ISIS in 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Nicole Paese)
U.S. Soldiers watch a star cluster in the sky during a patrol outside Manbij, Syria, August 13, 2018. Star clusters are used to establish visual contact between U.S. and Turkish forces at different coordination More
Before photo of debris and court documents left behind by Daesh at the Muhammad Zaydan School in Manbij, Syria. The photo was taken on Aug. 14, 2018. Daesh used the school as a courthouse and detention center. More
Members of the Manbij Military Council pull security during a training scenario in Manbij, Syria, August 16, 2018. The MMC trained on small unit tactics, which included individual and squad movement techniques. More
Rehabilitation equipment including wheelchairs, crutches, physical therapy tables and various exercise tools are lined up outside the Kobane Military Hospital in preparation for the Coalition’s divestment to in More
A U.S. Soldier walks with locals after being invited to see their home during a patrol outside Manbij, Syria, August 19, 2018. These patrols help provide continued security and stability in Manbij since the Syr More
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk, Commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, speaks with Sohail Darwish Wali, the Education Committee Co-chairman for the Civil Administration of Manbij, a More
Manbij Military Council members provide security at a traffic circle during Eid al-Adha, which translates as “Festival of Sacrifice,” in Manbij, Syria, August 21, 2018. The Manbij Internal Security Forces, and More
A Manbij Military Council (MMC) Quick Reaction Force (QRF) member role-plays as a casualty treated with bandages during a medical skills assessment in Manbij, Syria, Sept. 7, 2018. The MMC-QRF works with Coalit More
U.S. and Turkish tactical vehicles take a defensive posture during rehearsals at Gaziantep, Turkey, Oct. 14, 2018. These NATO allies have conducted independent coordinated patrols for the past several months. I More
A local worker uses construction equipment to clear debris at the Manbij Power Substation in Manbij, Syria, Oct. 15, 2018. About 20 Civil Administration employees work together to fix facilities and improve ope More
Local residents and clinic staff celebrate the opening of the Muhtarek Clinic in Manbij, Syria, Oct. 18, 2018. The opening ceremony brought together medical staff, Manbij Military Council members (MMC), coaliti More
U.S. Soldiers surveil the area during a combined joint patrol in Manbij, Syria, Nov. 1, 2018. This operation ensures they can safely work with partner forces to maintain the safety and security of the region an More
A U.S. Soldier uses a range finder to locate Turkish Military forces on the other side of the demarcation line during an independent, coordinated patrol along the demarcation line outside Manbij, Syria, July 18 More
A U.S. Special Forces operator advises a Manbij Military Council female instructor as she helps a local female MMC trainee during marksmanship training Feb. 21, 2017, at Sanaa Training Center in Northwest Syria More
A U.S. Soldier watches Turkish military vehicles as they patrol along the demarcation line outside Manbij, Syria, June 24, 2018. The U.S. and Turkey recently began independent, coordinated patrols to help ensur More
U.S. Soldiers wave to locals as they perform an independent, coordinated patrol through a village near Manbij, Syria, June 26, 2018. These patrols are done in coordination with Turkish Military forces on opposi More
A U.S. Army Soldier is directed where to provide security during a security patrol outside Manbij, Syria, June 28, 2018. The U.S. is conducting independent, coordinated patrols with Turkish military forces on e More
A U.S. soldier drives a frontend loader, dumping dirt to build up a defensive position at a blockade outside Manbij, Syria, June 6, 2018. The blockade was established to help maintain security on the road to Ma More
A boy stirs a bucket of tomato sauce outside of a store in Manbij, Syria, July 12, 2018. Since the Syrian Democratic Forces liberated the city from ISIS, shops like this have had the opportunity to grow and bec More
U.S. Forces use a scope during an independent, coordinated patrol outside Manbij, Syria, July 12, 2018. U.S. and Turkish forces patrol opposite sides of the demarcation line to help maintain safety and security More
A U.S. Soldier hands out candy to local children during an independent, coordinated patrol in a village along the demarcation line outside Manbij, Syria, July 16, 2018. The U.S. and Turkish militaries conduct t More
U.S. military vehicles provide security during an independent, coordinated patrol between the U.S. and Turkish militaries along the demarcation line outside Manbij, Syria, July 20, 2018. These patrols help rein More
A U.S. Soldier sets off a star cluster flare to ensure Turkish forces see their location on a patrol outside Manbij, Syria, July 22, 2018. The U.S. and Turkish military forces conduct independent, coordinated More
A U.S. Soldier fires a star cluster to indicate the position of U.S. forces during an independent, coordinated patrol with Turkish military outside Manbij, Syria, July 24, 2018. U.S. and Turkish forces initiate More
U.S. Forces use tactical vehicles to provide security during an independent, coordinated patrol outside Manbij, Syria, July 28, 2018. U.S. forces in coordination with Turkish forces, conduct patrols along the d More
U.S. personnel provide security with their tactical vehicles during independent, coordinated patrols with Turkish forces along the demarcation line outside Manbij, Syria, August 1, 2018. These patrols provide s More
U.S. Soldiers and members of the Manbij Military Council enjoy a friendly game of soccer in Manbij, Syria, August 1, 2018. The Manbij Military Council works to ensure the safety and stability of Manbij and its More
A U.S. Soldier stands next to his binoculars during a patrol outside Manbij, Syria, August 3, 2018. The binoculars are used to confirm Turkish military forces on the other side of the demarcation line during a More
Members of the Manbij Military Council stand at the firing line at a range near Tishreen, Syria, August 6, 2018. The MMC members are strengthening their skills to help maintain the security and stability in Man More
U.S. tactical vehicles drive down a village street outside Manbij, Syria, August 7, 2018. U.S. Soldiers drove through several villages as part of the independent, coordinated patrol with Turkish forces to help More
A chairperson for the Social Services Committee of the Civil Administration of Manbij discusses plans for dealing with return of residents displaced during ISIS occupation at a meeting at the CAM headquarters i More
Members of the Manbij Military Council clear the corners of a room during an assessment of close quarters battle drills in Manbij, Syria, August 10, 2018. During the assessment, members of the MMC had to demons More