Jubur tribe calls for disbanding government’s NDF in Hasakah
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – On Monday, tribal leaders from the Jubur tribe in Hasakah, northeastern Syria, called for the disbanding of the National Defense Forces (NDF), a Syrian government-backed militia, and the immediate removal of its commander, Abdul Qadir Hamo, from the city of Hasakah.
On Sunday, the NDF commander in Hasakah, Abdul Qadir Hamo, physically assaulted Sheikh Abdul Aziz Muhammad al-Meslet, a leader in the tribe, and his nephew, enraging the tribe’s members who later took to the streets in Hasakah demanding the government hand over Hamo.
One of the tribal leaders of the Jubur, Akram Mahshoush, stated in an audio statement to North Press that the targeting was plotted because Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Meslet actively participates in all community events, including those organized by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), “which aims to bring about changes and solve issues when they arise.”
He expressed that the assault, which took place in broad daylight, is a “message to create turmoil by the government and Iranians in the region.”
Mahshoush clarified that the entry of tribe members into the government’s security square in Hasakah the previous day was a “natural reaction.”
“It was a peaceful entry with peaceful chants and we communicated with the military and civilian leadership of the government in order to find a solution,” he said.
He mentioned that they had set a deadline for the other side to find a solution by 6 PM today, which has already passed. Reports indicate that Hamo was removed from his position following the recent dispute before the deadline expired.
Mahshoush highlighted that these ongoing harassments by the “militias” have persisted for six years. They have exerted dominance and control, imposed levies on shop owners and residents, intimidated them, and forcibly seized their homes and cars.
For his part, Sheikh Nawaf al-Maslat, the top leader of the Jubur tribe, stated in an official statement, “We demand the Syrian government to promptly respond to this offense, dissolve the NDF, prosecute its commander, and remove him from the city.”