Clashes erupted on Monday between two groups in eastern Syria that are supported by the United States, resulting in the death of three gunmen. This incident has raised concerns about further divisions between U.S.-backed Kurdish and Arab fighters in the region, which shares a border with Iraq and was once a stronghold for the Islamic State group. The U.S.-backed fighters play a significant role in targeting the remaining sleeper cells of the Islamic State that continue to carry out deadly attacks.
These clashes followed the detention of Ahmad Khbeil, also known as Abu Khawla, the commander of a formerly allied group, and several other members of his faction. They were invited to a meeting in the city of Hassakeh on Sunday by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is backed by the U.S. The SDF has not confirmed the detention, and questions regarding the arrest were unanswered by SDF officials.
Rami Abdurrahman, the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, expressed the SDF’s concern that Khbeil was establishing links with both the Syrian government and Turkey, whose troops have repeatedly targeted Kurdish fighters in northern Syria since 2016.
The arrest of Khbeil could potentially escalate tensions between Kurds and Arabs, as his detained supporters belong to a powerful tribe in eastern Syria. A previous clash between the two groups in July resulted in the death of at least one Arab fighter.
Reports from opposition activists indicated further clashes between the factions in villages in Deir el-Zour on Monday. The Syrian Observatory and activist Omar Abu Layla stated that three members of the Deir el-Zour Military Council were killed. Angry Arab tribesmen also blocked roads in the province to protest against the SDF.
Additionally, the Kurdish police force known as Asayesh reportedly raided the offices of the Baz news network, an activist collective, and detained five citizen journalists, including the network’s head. The Observatory revealed that the network is funded by Khbeil.
The Baz news network released a statement claiming that Kurdish fighters detained their journalists, confiscated equipment, and took control of their offices.
It is important to note that there are approximately 900 U.S. forces present in eastern Syria on any given day, in addition to undisclosed numbers of contractors. They collaborate with the SDF to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State group.
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