AANES lifts total lockdown in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – The Civil Council of Deir ez-Zor Governorate, eastern Syria, affiliated with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), issued a circular on Monday announcing the lifting of the total lockdown and the implementation of a partial curfew instead.
The Civil Council stated in the circular, “After the success of the ‘Security Reinforcement’ operation in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor in its first phase, which is still ongoing, as the other phases will involve tracking Islamic State (ISIS) cells and combating drugs.”
The circular further stated that based on this, the total lockdown is lifted, and a partial curfew is imposed from 6 pm to 5 am, except for humanitarian cases and crossings in coordination with the Internal Security Forces in North and East Syria (Asayish).
The Civil Council expressed its gratitude to the Military Council of Deir ez-Zor and other military councils that participated in the “Security Reinforcement” operation. It also expressed its appreciation to the tribes that supported the operation.
Through the circular, the Civil Council called on all residents to cooperate with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and stand together to consolidate security and stability in the region.
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.