Arab tribes renew clashes with SDF in eastern Deir Ezzor

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
25 Sep 2023 14:42
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The chief of the Akidat tribe has announced general mobilization against the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces.

A militant of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) loads a machine gun belt onto a turret along a technical vehicle as others deploy to impose a curfew in the town of al-Busayrah in Syria's northeastern Deir Ezzor, Syria, on September 4, 2023. (AFP)

Tribal fighters launched a wide-scale attack on Monday against positions held by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the town of Dhebian, in eastern Deir Ezzor, local sources told Al Mayadeen Net.

Sources confirmed that tribal militants have taken control of part of the town, disabling several vehicles and killing several among the SDF's ranks.

The chief of the Akidat tribe in Syria, Ibrahim al-Hifl, announced the start of a "new battle" by Arab tribes against the SDF forces, calling for a general mobilization in the countryside of Deir Ezzor to support the engaged tribal forces

Al-Hifl also urged his supporters, whom he described as "sons of the Euphrates," to impose Arab representation in the Deir Ezzor regional administration and reclaim their land and dignity.

The SDF has declared a general curfew in eastern Deir Ezzor encompassing the area extending from the town of al-Shuhayl to al-Baghuz, Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported.

A few days earlier, Sheikh al-Hifl had announced the formation of a military leadership for the tribes and clans army in the countryside of Deir Ezzor. He called on tribe members to launch attacks on SDF positions after the latter had declared an end to clashes on September 6 in the area, claiming to have regained control of the entire eastern Deir Ezzor.

The fighting erupted after the Kurdish-dominated militia arrested the head of the Deir Ezzor military council (DEMC), Ahmad Abu Khawla also known as Ahmed Khabil. The Arab leader was lured by the SDF to a senior meeting in the rural areas of al-Hasakah and subsequently detained.

Furthermore, the SDF went on an arrest spree and apprehended several leaders of the DEMC after raiding their homes in the Khasham and al-Aziziyah neighborhoods in al-Hasakah

Control of the province is split between the US-backed SDF to the east of the Euphrates River and the Syrian government forces to the West.

Deir Ezzor is highly rich in resources and borders Iraq. The US currently occupies several areas in the governorate, which has allowed it to loot and smuggle energy resources into Iraq.