US-backed SDF intensify siege amid Resistance from Arab tribes
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The Syrian Democratic Forces, backed by the US occupation forces, are tightening their grip on the eastern Syrian governorate of Deir Ezzor amid support from the US.
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US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters stand guard next near Baghouz, eastern Syria, February 22, 2019 (AP)
The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have intensified their siege on areas under Syrian government control in the cities of al-Hasakah and Qamishli for the second consecutive day. This escalation comes after the SDF accused Syrian security forces of orchestrating a recent attack by Arab tribes in Deir Ezzor, eastern Syria, on Wednesday.
The siege includes the complete closure of government-controlled areas in Al-Hasakah, Qamishli, and their surrounding regions, including the road leading to Qamishli International Airport.
The SDF has restricted the movement of vehicles and trucks, including those carrying essential supplies like fuel, flour, food, and vegetables. The blockade has raised concerns of an impending humanitarian crisis.
In addition, the SDF detained several Syrian army officers and soldiers at its checkpoints. Field sources reported to Al Mayadeen that the SDF's goal with this siege is to pressure the Syrian army, which in turn, is expected to exert pressure on the tribal forces to prevent further attacks on SDF positions in the Deir Ezzor countryside.
The sources highlighted that the unrest in Deir Ezzor is a reaction to the SDF's policies towards the tribes, which have led to armed resistance against the SDF in the region.
Amid these tensions, Russian mediation efforts have been reported, aimed at resolving the siege imposed by the SDF and ending the blockade.
The sources criticized the SDF's actions as harmful to civilians, accusing them of causing unnecessary suffering by depriving people of food and water, calling the siege "negative and inhumane."
This is not the first time the SDF has imposed such a siege. Similar blockades have been enforced in the past on government-controlled areas in al-Hasakah and Qamishli, only to be lifted after popular pressure or Russian intervention.
The SDF views the siege of government-controlled areas as a tactical move, frequently employed in disputes with the Syrian army or allied forces, whether in al-Hasakah or Aleppo.
The SDF also sees this tactic as a means of pressuring the Syrian government to discourage it from negotiating any reconciliation with Turkey that might compromise SDF-controlled territories in northeastern Syria.
US support for SDF
US helicopters targeted the Syrian Forces of the Fighters of the Tribes with machine guns along the bank of the Euphrates River in the town of Dhiban, east of Deir Ezzor, eastern Syria, as part of its support for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Our correspondent had reported that the US forces brought reinforcements to the al-Omar oil field base in the Deir Ezzor countryside, in conjunction with the Arab tribes' attack on the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) which have served as US proxies throughout the war on Syria.
Al Mayadeen's sources also confirmed that US coalition forces in the al-Omar oilfield were mobilized due to their proximity to the ongoing confrontations.
This came after the tribal forces launched an operation using guns and rocket-propelled grenades on SDF military posts in eastern Deir Ezzor, especially in the town of al-Baghouz, near the border with Iraq.
The SDF imposed a complete curfew in all areas under its control in the eastern and western Deir Ezzor countryside following the launch of the operation by the Fighters of the Tribes seeking to reclaim Syrian territories.
US bolsters bases in northeastern Syria with Apache helicopters
It was reported Friday that the US military is continuing to bolster its bases in the occupied al-Hasakah province of northeastern Syria, deploying additional Apache helicopters and military equipment, according to a Syrian military source cited by Sputnik.
"US forces have reinforced their bases with 15 Apache helicopters to improve their ability to conduct attacks," the source said.
At the time, a Syrian military source told Sputnik that a US military plane landed at the Kharab al-Jir base, carrying military equipment, air defense missiles, logistics materials, and 25 service members.
Earlier the same day, the US DoD announced that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin would oversee the deployment of more forces to the Middle East to support "Israel," though the exact number of additional troops has yet to be determined.
In the past two weeks, the Israeli regime has assassinated two high-ranking Resistance leaders and carried out an air aggression on Yemen.
