Tribal Leaders in Syria’s Hasakah denounce narratives of Arab-Kurdish conflict
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – Prominent tribal leaders in Hasakah Governorate, northeast Syria, stated on Saturday that external parties are shaping the media narrative in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, eastern Syria, portraying it as an Arab-Kurdish conflict.
In a statement issued at the Jubur Tribe Council in the village of Sulemaniyah in the countryside of Hasakah, tribal leaders and representatives from various components of northern and eastern Syria addressed the recent events unfolding in Deir ez-Zor and its countryside.
The statement was attended by Kurdish and Arab tribal leaders, as well as representatives from other communities such as the Yazidis, Syriacs, and Assyrians. Prominent Arab tribes and clans present included Jubur, al-Baggara, Tay, al-Akidat, al-Sharabeen, Shammar, al-Maamara, al-Nuaim, al-Walda, al-Sada al-Ashraf, al-Khuwatnah, Harb, Adwan, al-Mushahada, and al-Jahish.
The statement highlighted the existence of a conflict orchestrated by the Syrian government in coordination with Iranian-backed militias and Turkish-affiliated factions, while presenting the situation in Deir ez-Zor as an Arab-Kurdish conflict.
The statement further emphasized that “all that is happening does not relate to tribal customs and traditions,” especially considering that the majority of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are comprised of Arab tribes, particularly those from Deir ez-Zor.
The tribal leaders expressed their solidarity with the tribes of Deir ez-Zor and conveyed their legitimate demands for a dignified and secure life, as stated in the statement.
The statement affirmed several constants, including the population’s support for the military and security forces, enhancing cooperation based on the perspective of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), and recognizing the importance of the tribal role in maintaining security based on customs and traditions.
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 Islamic State (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, 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.