A large number of fighters from the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) were seen traveling to the northern outskirts of Manbij, while carrying flags representing the opposition and Turkey.
It is not clear why the rebel forces are building up their troops north of Manbij as the Syrian Arab Army has already mobilize and deployed a large number of troops to this front front.
According to a military source in Aleppo city, one theory for the rebel build-up is due to the fact that the Russian military was unable to convince their Turkish counterparts that Manbij was under the authority of the Syrian government.
The source said that the Turkish military believes the Kurdish-led People's Protection Units (YPG) still control Manbij, despite their agreement with the Syrian Arab Army.
