Syrian Tribesmen Clash With Syrian Democratic Forces In Deir Ezzor

Posts were published on social media platforms last night about the intention of Syrian tribes to attack the positions of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which caused some residents of the areas of Jama, Dhiban and al-Hawaij to leave their homes.

Hours later, the first clashes broke out in the Dhiban area between Syrian tribesmen and SDF militants. At the beginning of the clashes, a civilian named Imad Jalal al-Hattab was killed. After Dhiban, Syrian tribesmen also stormed the SDF headquarters in the town of Abu Hamam.

During the clashes, the SDF militants stationed in the town of al-Hawaij targeted areas in the city of al-Mayadeen with artillery fire.

Gradually, the clashes spread to the areas of al-Tayana, al-Basira and al-Subha, and after clashes with the SDF militants, the Syrian tribes took control of several SDF bases and checkpoints in the areas of Abu Hamam, Gharanij, Abu Hardoub and Al-Kishkiyah. Syrian tribesmen are said to have captured several SDF militants.

As the fighting intensified, SDF commanders decided to deploy reinforcements and equipment from the areas of al-Ma’mal and al-Shaddadi to the eastern areas of Deir ez-Zor. Some reinforcements sent from Al-Hasakah and Al-Raqqa have arrived in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor. Also, due to the situation on the ground, the US forces stationed at the Conoco gas facility and the Al-Omar oil field were put on alert.

The IWN investigations show that since last night, the areas of Abu Hamam, Dhiban, Gharanij, Al-Tayana, Al-Sabkhah, Al-Harijiya and Al-Busayrah have witnessed clashes between Syrian tribes and the SDF forces.

In recent hours, SDF commanders sent a group of reinforcements from the al-Omar oil field to the Abu Hamam area. Local sources also reported that a convoy belonging to the US coalition headed from southern Al-Hasakah to the eastern areas of Deir ez-Zor.

According to preliminary information, at least 3 people were killed and 14 others were injured as a result of the clashes. Due to the intensity and continuation of the clashes, the SDF militants have declared a curfew in the areas of Dhiban and Abu Hamam.

The latest information received indicates that US coalition warplanes entered the fighting and targeted a group of Syrian tribesmen near the banks of the Euphrates River in the city of Dhiban an hour earlier.

Clashes continue in some areas, and US fighter jets flew over some of the conflict points in Deir Ez-Zor Governorate. Moreover, the news stories published about the domination of the Syrian tribes over the Al-Omar oil field is not true.