Iran uses Arab tribes to control Syria’s Deir ez-Zor
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – According to a specialist in Iranian affairs, Iran’s objective in eastern Syria is to gain influence over the Arab tribes residing there, aiming to create confusion among its adversaries within Deir ez-Zor Governorate, eastern Syria.
“Iran aims to confuse those who are backed by the US, whether they are the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) or the tribes in the region”, Mustafa al-Naimi, a specialist in Iranian affairs, said.
The SDF has been facing clashes with gunmen backed by the Syrian government and Iranian militias for ten days, after groups affiliated with them crossed the western bank of the Euphrates River to the eastern bank, where the SDF controls.
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 Islamic State (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.
North Press obtained information by special security sources, pointing out that figures loyal to the government and Iranian militias were responsible for the tension in Deir ez-Zor.
Al-Naimi told North Press that Iran used people close to the tribes to get close to the tribes and clans loyal to the “Syrian regime” in order to control areas east of the Euphrates.
He pointed out that “the Syrian regime and Iran are striving by all means to reach these areas, under the cover of the tribes, to form sleeper cells. These cells will be activated if the United States confronts Iran’s allies in the areas adjacent to the town of Abu Kamal in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor and the Iraqi city of al-Qa’im on the Syrian-Iraqi border.
Al-Naimi believes that if the military operation starts, these areas would be completely under the US control.
“US forces have provided their base in Ain al-Assad with offensive weapons. This means that they are planning to conduct an operation either from either Ain al-Assad base or al-Tanf base,” al-Naimi added.
In recent times, there have been media reports circulating regarding the Global Coalition’s intention to isolate the Syrian-Iraqi border as a means to curb Iran’s influence in Syria and disrupt its supply lines.
However, on Aug. 20, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said there would be a logistical movement of troops and equipment on the Syrian-Iraqi border “in order to redeploy and assume responsibility.
The CENTCOM Media Desk told North Press that the ongoing movements on the Syrian-Iraqi border are a type of replacement that referred to as “a relief in place and transfer of authority.”