Syria’s Raqqa tribes renew rejection of Syrian government’s settlements
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – On Sunday, tribes in Raqqa, north Syria, renewed their total refusal of participating in the settlements made by the Syrian government in the city of Sabkha, 30 km southeast of Raqqa.
Tribes’ rejection of the settlements came after a statement by the governor of Raqqa, Abdurrazzaq al-Khalifa, in which he said “these statements are not supported by the tribal sheikhs, and the position of the sheikhs is contrary to what is stated in them.”
In a statement on January 11, the sheikhs and dignitaries of the tribes of the city of Raqqa rejected the settlements announced by the Syrian government.
Media websites close to the government had earlier published news about the start of reconciliation process with the people of Raqqa in the city of Sabkha, 30 km southeast of Raqqa.
“The goal of issuing the statement was to show the tribal position that completely rejects the calls for settlement announced by the Syrian government,” Muhammad al-Jassem, the sheikh of al-Bu Mani’ tribe, told North Press.
“The Syrian government has not provided any vision for a solution over the past years and has always targeted the areas of northeast Syria through its sleeper cells and people affiliated with its agenda,” Jassem added.
He pointed out that the Arab tribes “disavow anyone who tries to reconcile with the Syrian government, and the Autonomous Administration should take the same position.”
The Syrian government accuses residents and tribes in Raqqa who refused to reconcile with the government of “involving in killing Syrians.”
The governor of Raqqa accused Sheikh Muhammad al-Jassem of belonging to ISIS and his participation in fighting government forces, saying: “It is normal for him to refuse the settlement.”
On January 14, residents of the city of Tabqa, north Syria, protested against participating in the settlements announced by the Syrian government.
The settlements that the Syrian government is holding in Deir ez-Zor, northeast Syria, target the social fabric in the region, Amina Ossi, the co-chair of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration, said on January 6.
In mid-November, 2021, the Deir ez-Zor Legislative Council issued a decision that anyone reconciled with the government would be fired from the Autonomous Administration institutions or civil organizations.