Men cut their beards and women burn their burkas as their Syrian city is liberated from Islamic State

Civilians' joy after being liberated from Islamic State has been caught in an incredible series of pictures.

Men are seen cutting their beards and women setting fire to burkas in the street.

Groups of women can be seen crying with relief in the street after Syrian Democratic Forces liberated the Syrian town of Manbij.

The US-backed Arab-Kurdish alliance confirmed Manbij was now "fully" under their control, ending a long battle to reclaim the city.

The town was strategically important to IS as it was close to the Turkish border and provisions and foreign fighters moved through the area.