Popular protests in Deir Ezzor, Manbij against SDF corruption

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Hundreds took to the streets in the villages of the western countryside of Deir Ezzor in Syria, which are under the control of the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) armed groups, to protest against the practices of the administration and the deterioration of the humanitarian and living situation in the region.

The demonstrations took place in the villages of Muhaymidah, Hawayej Thiyab, Hawayej Abu Mas'a, Al-Kabr, Al-Harmushiyah, Al-Kasrah, and Um Madfaa, where protesters held up banners denouncing the SDF, blocking roads with burning tires.

The participants in the protests demanded fighting the rampant corruption in the institutions of the Autonomous Administration. They also demanded the availability of fuel, water, and electricity, as well as job opportunities for young people, in a way that curbs the sharp wave of migration and supports agriculture.

In turn, a large number of teachers continued their strike in the countryside of Deir Ezzor, which is under the control of the SDF armed groups, in protest against low wages and the lack of school infrastructure in the area. 

In parallel, the city of Manbij in the northeastern countryside of Aleppo, which is also under the control of the SDF armed groups, witnessed a strike by teachers and taxi drivers in the city, to protest against the living situation and to demand an increase in wages.

Residents of these villages accuse the so-called local councils of the Autonomous Administration of corruption, denouncing the lack of proclaimed assistance provided by the international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the area. 

It is worth noting that the Syrian government accuses the SDF Autonomous Administration of selling, stealing, and smuggling fuel and wheat, and the salaries of workers in the Autonomous Administration do not exceed 300 thousand SYP, which is equivalent to about $60 only.