Deir ez-Zor clashes (2023)

Deir ez-Zor clashes (2023)
Part of the Eastern Syria insurgency in the Syrian Civil War
DateFirst series of clashes:
27 August 2023 – 7 September 2023
(1 week and 3 days)[7][8]
Second series of clashes:
25–27 September 2023[9]
Location
Deir ez-Zor Governorate, Syria
Result SDF victory[8]
Territorial
changes
  • DZMC military units and tribal fighters temporarily capture towns and villages in eastern Deir-Ez-Zor[10]
  • SDF launches counter-offensive and retakes towns of al-Sabha, al-Busayrah, al-Shuhayl, al-Hawaij, al-Dhiban by 7 September[8][11]
  • Ceasefire established between SDF and Arab tribes; SDF forces enter remaining areas of Deir ez-Zor after negotiations[11][12][13]
Belligerents

Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES)

Deir ez-Zor Military Council loyalists

Pro-SDF Arab clans of Deir ez-Zor[1]
 United States[2]

Deir ez-Zor Military Council rebels[3]
Anti-SDF Arab clans of Deir ez-Zor

Syria Syrian government loyalists[6]
Commanders and leaders
Mazloum Abdi

Ibrahim Al-Hifl (Al Uqaydat sheikh)[1]
Amir al-Bashir (al-Baggara sheikh)[2]
Adham (Rashid Abu Khawla's brother)[3]

Syria Nawaf al-Bashir (Ousoud al-Ashiyer leader)[14][6]
Units involved

Syrian Democratic Forces

Internal Security Forces
United States Air Force[2]

DZMC military units[11][17]
Local tribal forces

Syria Pro-government militias

Strength
Thousands[2] Unknown
Casualties and losses
29 killed[9] 79 killed[9]
10 civilians killed[9]

Starting on 27 August 2023, an escalation of violence occurred across Deir ez-Zor Governorate in eastern Syria. The clashes began after the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is the military force of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) arrested the military commander of Deir ez-Zor Military Council known by the name of Abu Khawla, accusing him of corruption and unlawful activity. Abu Khawla has the support of some Arab tribes in Deir-Ez-Zor. The arrest led to a spiraling cycle of violence that escalated when tribal gunmen launched an offensive against the SDF in the region. As a result of the ongoing clashes, tribal fighters managed to take control of some towns and villages. However, a counterattack by the SDF regained control of all lost areas by 7 September 2023.[18] The SDF officially termed the counter-attack Operation Security Reinforcement.[14] Another, short-lived rebellion took place from 25 to 27 September, inspired by an attack by pro-Syrian government militias from across the Euphrates; this uprising was quickly defeated by the SDF.[9]

The clashes have resulted in 118 people being killed across northeastern Syria.[9]

  1. ^ a b c d e Wales, Gregory (1 September 2023). "Deir ez-Zor's tribes reach a breaking point". Middle East Institute. Archived from the original on 3 September 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e Sean Mathews (5 September 2023). "'A volcano': Arab grievances in Syria's Deir Ezzor pit US allies against each other". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Lister, Charles (30 August 2023). "A dangerous escalation in Syria's Deir ez-Zor". Middle East Institute. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023.
  4. ^ https://www.raialyoum.com/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%84%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A6/
  5. ^ https://www.alaraby.co.uk/politics/%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%87%D9%81%D9%84-%D9%8A%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%B4%D9%83%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4-%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%82%D8%B3%D8%AF
  6. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference boats was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ "U.S. backed Kurdish-led forces in eastern Syria battle Arab tribal unrest". Yahoo News. August 30, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c "Amid unknown fate of Sheikh "Ibrahim Al-Hefel" SDF take control of Thiban, last stronghold of local gunmen". SOHR. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Cite error: The named reference sohr3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference AlJazeeraSep1Northwest was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ a b c Hassan, Mohammed (9 September 2023). "Deir ez-Zor torn between Arab tribes' struggle for independence and the SDF's efforts to subdue them". Middle East Institute. Archived from the original on 10 September 2023.
  12. ^ "US-backed Kurdish Fighters Say Battles with Tribesmen in Eastern Syria that Killed Dozens Have Ended". Asharq Al Awsat. 9 September 2023. Archived from the original on 10 September 2023.
  13. ^ Gebeily, Maya (7 September 2023). "Exclusive: Kurdish-led Syria force vows to meet tribal demands after clash". Reuters. Archived from the original on 7 September 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Humanitarian organizations call for ceasefire in Syria's Deir ez-Zor". NPA. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference syrian observer was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference auto2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ^ Ibrahim, Arwa (7 September 2023). "Fears of escalation grow as dozens die in SDF-militia fighting in Syria". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 7 September 2023.
  18. ^ Cite error: The named reference sohr2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).