Title: Clashes between Syrian Democratic Forces and Arab fighters continue in Deir Ezzor
Introduction :
For several weeks, the province of Deir Ezzor in Syria has been the scene of violent clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Arab fighters. This conflict, born from internal dissensions within the FDS, highlights the persistent tensions between the different communities that make up the region. In this article, we will return to the causes of these fighting and we will analyze the current situation in Deir Ezzor.
The context of the clashes:
The SDF, a military coalition formed in 2015 to fight the Islamic State group, brings together both Kurdish and Arab fighters. However, tensions quickly emerged between these two communities within the SDF, particularly due to accusations of corruption and drug trafficking targeting certain Arab leaders.
The trigger for the clashes was the arrest, on August 27, of the head of the Deir Ezzor Military Council, Ahmad al-Khabil, a member of the Al-Uqaidat tribe. This arrest was seen as a provocation by Al-Khabil supporters, who then launched attacks against the SDF with the aim of driving them out of Deir Ezzor province.
The current situation :
Despite the announcement of the recapture of all the localities of Deir Ezzor by the FDS, the fighting is far from over. Arab fighters, mainly members of the Al-Uqaidat tribe, are now waging a daily guerrilla war against the FDS, notably through nighttime attacks against their bases and patrols.
The main pocket of resistance is in the locality of al-Dhiban, stronghold of Ibrahim al-Hafl, the leader of the Al-Uqaidat tribe. Ibrahim al-Hafl, who now lives in hiding, continues to coordinate attacks against the SDF. In an audio recording released recently, he calls for continuing the fight against the FDS militias.
The FDS, for their part, are carrying out daily arrests in the localities affected by the clashes. However, these operations failed to put an end to the guerrilla war led by Arab fighters who demanded the withdrawal of Kurdish cadres from the province of Deir Ezzor.
Conclusion :
The clashes between the SDF and Arab fighters in Deir Ezzor highlight the persistent divisions between the different communities that make up the region. While the FDS announced the recapture of all localities, Arab fighters continue to wage guerrilla warfare against them. The situation remains unstable and it is necessary to find a peaceful solution to put an end to this violence and preserve the stability of the region.