Kurdish tribes warn against plotted discord in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor
By Rubin Omar
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Leaders and notables of Kurdish tribes in Hasakah Governorate in northeast Syria stressed that foreign entities try to cause sectarian discord in the region. They declared their support for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and their commitment to the national principles to protect the region. They warned not be dragged into plans that target the security and safety of areas in northeast Syria.
The tribal sheikhs urged the residents of the region to prevail the language of reason and put efforts to eliminate the militants of the Islamic State group (ISIS), and to quell the discord taking place in Deir ez-Zor by external parties.
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 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.
Akram Haj Sheikhmus Delli, a notable of the Al Delli clan, and a member of the Kurdish Tribal Council representing Mersinya tribe in the city of Qamishli, northeast Syria, told North Press, “The Kurdish Tribal Council in Hasakah officially condemned via a statement the terrorist actions against the SDF in Deir ez-Zor. These forces are the ones that liberated Deir ez-Zor from ISIS, which is one of the most powerful terrorist groups in the world.”
Delli called on residents, tribes and military forces to be calm and not be dragged into these seditions. “What is happening in Deir ez-Zor is a discord that some racist parties try to turn it into a fight between Kurds and Arabs. The Arab tribes are our brethren. We have a common history in the region for many years,” he said.
He called for openness to dialogue and to adopt the language of reason to preserve civil peace and not be let discord create a war between Kurds and Arabs as plotted by enemies of the people of the region.
Jamal Khalaf Berro, leader of Habzbini tribe and spokesman for the Council of Notables in Hasakah, emphasized on adopting dialogue to achieve security and peace in areas in the east of the Euphrates River.
“Some parties want to cause discord among the tribes. We have coexisted with each other for thousands of years. Kurds and Arabs are brethren. We will not allow anyone to create a conflict among us,” he told North Press.
Rashid Khello, a notable of Al Sim’ila tribe, denounced the actions taking place in Deir ez-Zor. “The vandalism created do not serve the interest of Kurds or Arabs, not even the interest of Syrians with all their sects and segments,” he said.
Majid Hesso, a dignitary of Al Gabara tribe in Hasakah, emphasized solidarity with Arab tribes and necessity of not being involved in this discord.
“We are united with our Arab brethren. We do not tolerate external or internal parties to achieve their goals at our expense,” he added.
Ghaleb Darwish, leader of Tameka clan and a member of the Kurdish Tribal Council representing Al Meho Taza tribe in Qamishli, denied that the clash taking place in Deir ez-Zor is a civil war or a strife between Kurds and Arabs.
“Kurds and Arabs have coexisted for hundreds of years. The Kurdish and Arab tribes live in harmony and there is no conflict between them, whether in terms of customs, morals, or peaceful coexistence. They live on a shared territory and their cultures are mostly the same, while each has a distinctiveness,” he said.
“The recent public rhetoric is an attempt to sow discord between Arabs and Kurds and disrupt the civil peace and security of the region,” he added.
He pointed out that what is happening is “a malicious conspiracy to undermine security in the region, give a chance for ISIS sleeper cells to resurge, and spread corruption, not to mention give way for drug trafficking that threatens the residents of the region directly.