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Photos: Syrian civilians celebrate with hugs, kisses, and lifted veils after their city’s liberation from ISIL

Finally.
Finally.
Image: Reuters/Rodi Said
By
Caitlin Hu
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After years of occupation by ISIL and a bloody months-long siege, civilians in the Syrian city of Manbij are finally free.

Fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced today, Aug. 12, that they had liberated the city’s last ISIL-held neighborhoods, reports the BBC. Reuters photographer Rodi Said has captured emotional photos of Manbij residents being evacuated: women flipping up their veils, men getting their beards cut, and huge smiles.

Syria: Liberation of Manbij from ISIS by the Syrian Democratic Forces
An SDF fighter comforts a civilian who was evacuated from an Islamic State-controlled neighborhood of Manbij.
Image: Reuters/Rodi Said

The SDF is a coalition of rebel groups that includes the Kurdish militia YPG. Its assault on the strategic city began May 31 and was supported by US-led airstrikes. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 437 civilians have been killed, sparking concerns that US airstrikes targeted innocent people.

Manbij is strategically located in the north of Syria between the Turkish border, embattled Aleppo, and ISIL stronghold Raqqa. Aleppo’s 2 million citizens are reportedly facing a humanitarian disaster.

Syria: Liberation of Manbij from ISIS by the Syrian Democratic Forces
A woman embraces an SDF fighter.
Image: Reuters/Rodi Said
Syria: Liberation of Manbij from ISIS by the Syrian Democratic Forces
Civilians celebrate after being evacuated.
Image: Reuters/Rodi Said
Syria: Liberation of Manbij from ISIS by the Syrian Democratic Forces
An SDF fighter with civilians who were evacuated from an Islamic State-controlled neighborhood.
Image: Reuters/Rodi Said
Syria: Liberation of Manbij from ISIS by the Syrian Democratic Forces
A civilian gets his beard trimmed after being evacuated by the SDF from an ISIL-controlled neighborhood in Manbij.
Image: Reuters/Rodi Said
Syria: Liberation of Manbij from ISIS by the Syrian Democratic Forces
A woman sets fire to a niqab after being evacuated with others by the SDF.
Image: Reuters/Rodi Said
Syria: Liberation of Manbij from ISIS by the Syrian Democratic Forces
A woman smokes as she rests after being evacuated.
Image: Reuters/Rodi Said
Syria: Liberation of Manbij from ISIS by the Syrian Democratic Forces
A civilian carries a child as he is evacuated by SDF soldiers.
Image: Reuters/Rodi Said
Syria: Liberation of Manbij from ISIS by the Syrian Democratic Forces
Smiles after being evacuated from an ISIL-controlled neighborhood of Manbij.
Image: Reuters/Rodi Said
Syria: Liberation of Manbij from ISIS by the Syrian Democratic Forces
A woman reacts as she sits with a child after they were evacuated from an ISIL-controlled neighborhood.
Image: Reuters/Rodi Said
Syria: Liberation of Manbij from ISIS by the Syrian Democratic Forces
SDF fighters chat with an injured civilian who was evacuated from an ISIL-controlled neighborhood of Manbij.
Image: Reuters/Rodi Said
Syria: Liberation of Manbij from ISIS by the Syrian Democratic Forces
Syria Democratic Forces female fighters embrace each other on Aug. 10.
Image: Reuters/Rodi Said