SDF expels gunmen linked to government forces in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – Syrian Democratic forces (SDF) said on Tuesday they expelled militants affiliated with the Syrian government forces from a town in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria, after they sneaked from areas west of the Euphrates River.
Farhad Shami, Head of SDF’s Media Center, said their forces expelled militants affiliated with the government forces from the town of Diban in the east of Deir ez-Zor hours after they sneaked from the town of al-Mayadin, west of the Euphrates River.
Areas east of the Euphrates River are held by the SDF, whereas the government forces and the Iranian-backed militias control the city center of Deir ez-Zor, west of the River.
The SDF announced late on Monday besieging two armed groups affiliated with the government forces in the Diban. They added that they killed several gunmen and injured others, who were taken to hospital in government-held areas west of the River.
Eyewitnesses told North Press that the town witnesses cautious calm since Monday night.
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.