Tribal leaders of north Syria discuss situation in Deir ez-Zor

RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – Tribal leaders from Raqqa, Tabqa, Manbij, and Kobani, northern Syria, held on Wednesday a dialogue session in the city of Raqqa to discuss the security situation in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, eastern Syria.

The dialogue session, organized by the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), was attended by dozens of tribal leaders and politicians.

The attendees discussed the reasons behind the general dissatisfaction of the population with the Autonomous Administration of north and east Syria (AANES), including issues such as corruption and favoritism.

One of the prominent leaders of al-Mousa al-Daher tribe in Raqqa, Aeid al-Hadi, stated, “The tribal leaders in Deir ez-Zor should not be swayed by external agendas.”

He added that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters hail from these tribes themselves, so they should not be influenced by agendas promoted by individuals residing in hotels outside Syria.

On Aug. 27, the SDF launched a military operation called “Security Reinforcement” with the support of the US-led Global Coalition on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, specifically in Deir ez-Zor, “to eradicate Islamic State (ISIS) sleeper cells, pursue criminals responsible for perpetrating injustices against the local population, and to track down smugglers who exploit the populace’s livelihoods.”

On Aug. 30, the SDF announced the dismissal of commander of Deir ez-Zor Military Council, Ahmad al-Khabil, known as Abu Khawla, from duty, for his involvement “in multiple crimes and violations, including communication and coordination with external entities hostile to the revolution, committing criminal offenses and engaging in drug trafficking, mismanaging of the security situation, his negative role in increasing the activities of ISIS cells,” according to the SDF.

The operation led to the eruption of clashes between the SDF and gunmen affiliated with the dismissed leader and with Nawaf al-Bashir whose groups are active in the western bank of the Euphrates which is under the control of the Syrian government forces and Iranian-backed militias.