The Kurdish Autonomous Administration, and the Syrian Democratic Forces that make up its military wing, manage the areas under its control, especially those with an Arab majority, through local civil and military councils, in an attempt to reduce Arab-Kurdish sensitivity.
22 people, including three civilians, were killed in Deir Ezzor governorate in eastern Syria, in clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces and local gunmen, over the arrest of a local military commander, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, on Tuesday.
Announcement
The Observatory said that the Syrian Democratic Forces, led by Kurdish fighters, arrested the commander of the Deir ez-Zor Military Council, Ahmed al-Khabil, known as Abu Khawla, in the city of Hasakah on Sunday night, which sparked tension that later developed into clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces and fighters affiliated with local Arab clans.
The Deir ez-Zor Military Council, which is affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces, includes local fighters and handles the security of the areas in Deir ez-Zor that the Syrian Democratic Forces took control of after defeating the Islamic State from the province.
The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, consisting of Kurdish and Arab factions led by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units, is stationed on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, which divides Deir ez-Zor province.
The Observatory reported that clashes broke out between the Syrian Democratic Forces and “fighters belonging to local clans” in a few villages in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, killing “three civilians, 16 tribal militants, and three members of the Syrian Democratic Forces.” The Observatory stated that the dead civilians were two girls and a woman. A previous toll reported by the Observatory stated that 13 fighters were killed.
The director of the observatory, Rami Abdel Rahman, told AFP that the clashes erupted after the gunmen attacked positions of the Syrian Democratic Forces.
Omar Abu Laila, director of the local “Deir Ezzor 24” website, said, “What is happening today is a settling of scores, after other corrupt leaders sensed danger following Abu Khawla’s arrest, and began trying to mobilize the tribal and Arab factor to protect themselves.” He warned of “a danger that could negatively affect the region.”
He added that Abu Khawla “was corrupt and involved in smuggling operations, and he had accumulated wealth over the past years.”
The Kurdish Autonomous Administration, and the Syrian Democratic Forces that make up its military wing, manage the areas under its control, especially those with an Arab majority, through local civil and military councils, in an attempt to reduce Arab-Kurdish sensitivity.
There was no comment from the SDF about the circumstances of Al-Khabil’s arrest, but it announced the launch of an “operation to enhance security” in its areas of control in Deir ez-Zor against the Islamic State and “criminal elements (…) involved in drug trafficking and benefiting from arms smuggling.” .
In a statement on Tuesday, the Syrian Democratic Forces confirmed the continuation of the operation “to arrest those involved in criminal operations.”
A source from the Syrian Democratic Forces told AFP that the area witnessing the clashes is a “known smuggling route”, and it is likely that the tension will end soon. The source pointed out that “the gunmen are affiliated with Abu Khawla.”
Announcement
Syria has been witnessing a bloody conflict since 2011 that has killed more than half a million people, caused massive damage to infrastructure, and led to the displacement of more than half of the population inside and outside the country.
Additional sources • ap
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2023-08-29 20:31:31
