Clashes between SDF, NDF militants renew in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – Clashes between gunmen affiliated with the Syrian government forces and Iranian-backed militias on the one hand and the Syrian Government Forces (SDF) on the other hand renewed on Monday in the town of Diban in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor Governorate, eastern Syria.
The gunmen crossed from areas west of the Euphrates River under the control of the government forces and Iranian-backed militias and attacked SDF posts in areas east of the Euphrates.
A local source told North Press that large groups of the National Defense Forces (NDF) affiliated with the government forces sneaked into Diban at night.
The source added that the gunmen attacked the SDF posts at dawn. Sounds of explosions, shells and bullets were heard in the neighborhoods of al-Latwa, Taamat, Ramliye in Diban.
Following the recent security developments, the Hajin Military Council, a military formation affiliated to the SDF, imposed a total curfew in Diban and nearby towns to pursue the gunmen.
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 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.