Arab tribes seize control of US-occupied Syrian towns in large-scale assault

Tribesmen launched the “largest” attack on Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) sites since the start of the Arab tribal rebellion against the US-backed militia last year, Sputnik reported, adding that the attack took place “under the cover of artillery and mortar shells.”

“Violent clashes have been ongoing since the early morning hours between the forces of the SDF-linked Deir Ezzor and Hajin Military Councils on the one hand, and the attacking groups of the ‘Army of Tribes’ coalition on the other, in the vicinity of the towns of Abu Hamam, Dhiban, Al-Lattwa, Al-Kashkiya, and Gharanij,” the news outlet’s correspondent said.

The clashes were concentrated in the towns of Al-Sabha and Al-Tayana, east of Deir Ezzor, the correspondent added.

The Arab tribes used RPGs and machine guns against the SDF during the onset of the attack, according to Al Mayadeen.

“SDF militants imposed a complete curfew in the towns under their control in the Deir Ezzor countryside, after the arrival of large military reinforcements from Hasakah and Raqqa, coinciding with a wide search operation in the villages surrounding the areas of clashes,” the Sputnik correspondent went on to say.

Residents told Sputnik that many people were displaced as a result and that three civilians were killed while seven others were injured due to the fighting. Local sources also told the outlet that at least 10 SDF militants were taken captive by tribal fighters, who also seized large amounts of light and heavy weapons.

The SDF and the tribal coalition also took some casualties.

“Arab tribal fighters managed to damage three Hummer military vehicles in the vicinity of the American base in the Al-Omar oilfield,” Sputnik said.

The SDF imposed security belts and closed roads around several areas in Hasakah, northeastern Syria.

“American helicopters targeted a group of tribal forces using machine guns near the banks of the Euphrates River in the town of Dhiban, east of Deir Ezzor,” Al Mayadeen’s correspondent reported on Tuesday.

The US army also deployed reinforcements to the vicinity of its base in the Al-Omar oilfield.

Sheikh Ibrahim al-Hafel, who led the tribal rebellion against the US-backed armed group last year, was quoted by Al Mayadeen as saying on 7 August: “We will not accept submission to the SDF militants … [the tribes and] their sons have the right to liberate their areas from these militants.”

Arab tribes launched their rebellion against the SDF in late August last year, with fierce clashes raging for several weeks afterward.

Despite brief instances of de-escalation, tensions and armed clashes between the two sides have remained ongoing. At the time, it was said that the tribal forces were coordinating with and receiving military aid and training from the Syrian Arab Army (SAA).

“After continuous training received by the tribal forces during the past months, the tribes led by Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Hafel launched a violent attack on the largest in the cities and towns of Deir Ezzor, and took control of several military points in the city of Al-Busayrah and the towns of Ibriha, Al-Harijiya, Al-Tayana, Abu Hamam, Gharanij, Al-Kashkiya, Dhiban, Al-Latwa neighborhood, and all the riverside points,” Syrian journalist Mohammad Dabaa said on 7 August.

Translation: After continuous training received by the clan forces during the past months The Arab tribal forces led by Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Hafel launched a violent attack, the largest in the cities and towns of Deir Ezzor, and took control of several militia points in the city of Al-Busayrah and the towns of Ibriha, Al-Harijiya, Al-Tayana, Abu Hamam, Gharanij, Al-Kashkiya, Dhiban, Al-Latwa neighborhood, and all the riverside points, and completely destroyed several points and three Hummer vehicles on the road to the American occupation base in the Al-Omar oil field, and killed and wounded a number of militia members, including two leaders, and captured a number of others and fled, and seized weapons, ammunition, snipers, and military vehicles, and the tribal operations are still ongoing. Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Haffel, the commander-in-chief of the Arab Tribal Forces, confirmed the announcement of a general mobilization and that the battles will continue until our Arab land is cleansed of the Qandil militia supported by the American occupation forces. There is an attempt by the militia elements, supported by the American occupation forces, to regain the points by bombing civilian gatherings with drones launched from their bases in the Al-Omar oil field and the Conoco gas field.

The tribal assault came a month after the SDF released hundreds of ISIS fighters from their prison camps in northern Syria.

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