push to recapture the Syrian city of Manbij. A batch of more than 10,000 documents also contains textbooks, laptops, and digital storage devices. "Exploitation of this information is ongoing to better understand [Islamic State] networks and techniques, including the systems [used] to manage the flow of foreign fighters into Syria and Iraq", the US-led anti-ISIL campaign's spokesman, Colonel Chris Garver, said Wednesday. By 30 June, the SDF had "gained a critical foothold" in southern Manbij, even though their progress was hindered by many landmines. ISIL fighters had also dug tunnels in the city, enabling them to launch surprise attacks on the SDF and thus further slowing down the latter's progress. Nevertheless, the SDF managed to capture the Al-Asadiyê neighborhood, where Abu Layla's old home was located, and to further advance toward the city center despite heavy ISIL resistance. First major ISIL counter-offensive Beginning on 1 July, ISIL forces launched a counter-offensive in an attempt to break the siege of Manbij and to evacuate their besieged forces. ISIL fighters attacked on all fronts, although their most intense assault targeted the SDF-held village of Dadat at the northern front near Jarabulus. There, the ISIL attackers were repelled only after heavy fighting. The next day, ISIL attacked Dadat again, finally storming it. At the same time, besieged ISIL forces in Manbij launched an outbreak attempt, reportedly recapturing the Jelawi neighborhood in the northern parts of the city and Khataf village east of Manbij. On 3 July, there were contradictory reports over the progress of the ISIL counter-offensive. Whereas ANF News reported that the SDF had repelled ISIL attacks at the northern, western, and southern front, al-Masdar News claimed that a major ISIL attack from the south had succeeded in recapturing two mountains and seven villages. SOHR simply reported heavy clashes at all fronts, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. Shervan Derwish, official spokesperson for the Syrian Democratic Forces, maintained on Facebook that the forces of the Manbij Military Council (MMC) had clashed throughout the day with ISIL militants on three fronts in the Manbij area. But the militants had fled the area, he stated, with MMC forces pursuing them. The SDF also reportedly made further progress in Manbij, although they were restricted in their use of heavy weapons due to ISIL using civilians as human shields. According to Reuters, based on SOHR sources, all ISIL attacks against SDF positions that had taken place