US-backed forces give IS '48 hours' to leave Syria's Manbij

Beirut: US-backed Syrian fighters on Thursday gave Islamic State group jihadists 48 hours to leave their stronghold of Manbij in an effort to "protect civilian lives" there.

"This initiative is the last remaining chance for besieged members of Daesh (IS) to leave the town," said the Manbij Military Council, part of the Syrian Democratic Forces alliance.

The warning came two days after strikes launched by the US-led coalition fighting IS reportedly killed at least 56 civilians fleeing a town near Manbij.