By Zana al-Ali
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – Military and field sources from the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria said on Thursday members of the Military Security Branch of the Syrian government attack checkpoints of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the area and withdraw.
For the fifth day in a row, the areas extended from the town of al-Busayrah in the east of Deir ez-Zor to the town of Garanij, reaching the town of al-Suwar in the north have been witnessing a security tension after the SDF dismissed leaders of the Deir ez-Zor Military Council.
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.
This came amid a military operation launched by the SDF with support of the US-led Global Coalition on Aug. 27 called “Security Reinforcement” to pursue ISIS sleeper cells, drug traffickers, and vandals in Deir ez-Zor. Following the launch of the operation, clashes erupted between the SDF and gunmen in Deir ez-Zor.
The sources added that 10-member batches of the Military Security Branch of the government enter the town of Abu Hamam, east of Deir ez-Zor, that is under the control of the SDF, in coordination with gunmen allied with the leaders the SDF had dismissed. They open fire on the checkpoints and then flee to the west of the Euphrates, according to the sources.
Some of those attacked the checkpoints injured and were hospitalized to the western bank of the Euphrates, the sources noted.
The sources indicated that the areas extended between the town of Hajin and Baghuz, where the SDF’s Hajin Military Council controls, are of stability except for a single attack against a checkpoint in the town of Shaafah, but the SDF managed to arrest the perpetrators.
The external agendas have started to control the pace of the tension in the area and hinder the attempts of peace and solution, four sources that North Press contacted them via phone calls.
The sources confirmed that the Military Security Branch in cooperation with Nawaf al-Bashir, leader of Iran-allied al-Baggara tribe, send weapons to SDF-held areas through Jadid Akidat, al-Shuhail, and Hamar al-Ali crossings.
However, the SDF evacuated and removed all its checkpoints in the towns that witness tensions for fear of any attacks and victims, the sources noted.