A U.S.-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters has reportedly advanced into a Syrian town held by the Islamic State (IS) group.
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on June 23 that heavy clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and IS militants were taking place on the southwestern edge of Manbij.
An adviser to the SDF, Nasser Haj Mansour, confirmed the alliance moved into the town from its northern edge, prompting clashes with IS militants.
Mansour said other troops entered Manbij from the west.
The SDF launched its offensive to take Manbij and the surrounding areas late last month with the backing of U.S. Special Forces to drive IS militants from its last stretch of the Syrian-Turkish frontier.