Fighting between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and fighters from Arab clans in Syria continues to rage, causing great tension in the region. These sporadic clashes have already caused numerous losses of human lives and raise serious issues for the parties to the conflict.
According to Wassim Nasr, specialist in jihadist movements at France 24, these fighting have resumed after a period of calm and are mainly concentrated around the village of Dhiban, on the Euphrates, as well as in the surrounding villages. This region of Deir Ezzor is strategic because it marks the border between the areas controlled by the Syrian regime and those under the influence of the SDF.
The main cause of the tensions lies in the complex relations between the Kurds and the Arabs. The SDF, supported by the Kurds, send Arab fighters to fight against other Arab fighters belonging to local clans. Although agreements have been reached between clan leaders and the Kurds via the international coalition, certain groups refuse to give in and resume fighting, believing that they have not obtained satisfaction from the coalition and the FDS.
This situation highlights the difficulty for the international coalition, particularly the United States, to play the role of arbiter in these clashes which involve both Arab and Kurdish components. The SDF has been a key player in the fight against the Islamic State in Syria and still enjoys U.S. support. However, the fear of seeing certain Arab clans turn towards the Syrian regime further complicates the situation.
Alongside this fighting in eastern Syria, other clashes have been reported in the north of the country, notably in Manbij. The mobilizations of Syrian rebel groups and the Turkish army in this region have also led to fighting between rival factions and a change in the balance of controlled areas. Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist organization, is attempting to take control of all free zones, raising concerns about Turkey’s direct involvement in this conflict.
These events once again demonstrate the complexity of the situation in Syria, where various actors and interests intertwine and where tensions between Kurds and Arabs continue to manifest themselves. Resolving these conflicts will undoubtedly require increased international diplomacy and mediation efforts to avoid an escalation of violence and achieve lasting stability in the region.