Government’s NDF group infiltrates into SDF areas to create chaos
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – A group of the National Defense Forces (NDF) and an Iranian-backed militia called Usoud al-Sharqiya (Lions of the East) infiltrated into the eastern side of the Euphrates River which is under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an exclusive source from the government-held areas told North Press on Friday.
The source, who did not reveal his identity for security reasons, said the NDF militants crossed the Euphrates to the SDF-held areas under directions from the Military Security Branch of the Syrian government with the aim of creating chaos in the area.
The NDF is a military formation that was founded by the Syrian government and fought along with it during the years of war.
The NDF militants took with them missiles, and they receive their orders from an operation room founded by the leaders of the Military Security Branch in the town of al-Mayadin in the western side of the Euphrates River, according to the source.
The source added that on Thursday night, the NDF crossed the river to the town of Garanij in the east of Deir ez-Zor and attacked a post of the SDF’s Military Police.
The militants leaked information about their plan to strike SDF posts in the Syrian Badia, the source said.
On Aug. 30, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) held on Aug. 29 a closed-door meeting with leaders of the NDF in al-Jura neighborhood in the city of Deir ez-Zor.
These developments came amid clashes that have erupted between the SDF and gunmen affiliated with the Syrian government and Iranian-backed militias to strike the stability of Northeast 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 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 leaders and with Nawaf al-Bashir, leader of al-Baggara tribe and a pro-Iranian figure 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.