US-backed SDF declare 'end of military operations' in east Syria

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
6 Sep 2023 15:14
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The Syrian Democratic Forces claimed they ended their military operations in the country's east after days of violent skirmishes.

A US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighter stands next to an armored vehicle, at al-Sabha town in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, Syria, Sept. 4, 2023 (AP)

The US-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces declared the "end of military operations" in Syria's east, namely Deir Ezzor, after days-long clashes with the Arab tribal forces that killed around 90 people.

The fighting erupted after the Kurdish militia arrested the head of the military council, 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

Nawaf Abdul Aziz Al-Muslat, the Emir of Jabour tribes in Syria and the Arab world, declared general mobilization of his tribe members and announced joining the battle alongside the tribesmen against SDF in Deir Ezzor.

SDF spokesman Farhad Shami told AFP that the "military operations in Dhebian have ended," though SDF forces were still searching districts of the town for remaining fighters.

"Neighbourhoods are being searched for armed groups coming from the western bank of the Euphrates," Shami told the agency.

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

Deir Ezzor, which the United States wants to establish as a foothold, is highly rich in resources and borders Iraq, which allows Washington and its allies to smuggle oil right into Iraq, plundering Syria without being held accountable.

After arresting the top Arab tribal leader, SDF armed groups announced that they were launching a military operation to confront Arab tribes East of the Euphrates River.

Arab tribes took control of the entire river line opposite the Syrian army positions in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, local sources confirmed.

An Al Mayadeen correspondent reported that SDF armed groups used Artillery and grad MLRS to bomb the town of Al-Busayrah in Deir Ezzor Eastern countryside after Arab Tribal fighters took control of it.

Local sources from northern Deir Ezzor confirm the control of Arab tribal fighters over the entire towns of Al-Baghouz, Al-Basir, and Al-Shahil. The sources confirmed Arab tribal fighters control the road leading to the Al-Omar oil field, which is the largest US base in the area.

SNA attempts to lure Arab tribes

Simultaneously, the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army is said to have opened crossings for individuals from local tribes willing to join the fight against the SDF in Manbij and Al-Bab. This move was reportedly realized through a joint attack by the SNA and armed groups claiming to be tribal members, targeting several villages on two fronts.

Turkish-affiliated SNA posted videos claiming they had "taken control of the villages of Arab Hasan and Al-Mushannaleh" in the countryside of Manbij along Al-Bab, while the spokesperson for the SDF-affiliated Manbij Military Council, Sharfan Darwish, quickly denied "any news of mercenaries gaining control over any point or checkpoint in the villages and towns of the countryside of Manbij and Al-Bab."

Darwish confirmed "their forces' readiness to repel all attacks" and that "the clashes are ongoing in the villages of Al-Mushannaleh, Arab Hasan, Um Jalloud, Al-Sayyadah, and Al-Dandaniyah."

The Turkish forces, on their part, have intermittently targeted areas under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces, predominantly consisting of Kurdish fighters, in northern and northeastern Syria, using both drones and artillery.