Rising tension | SDF impose curfew in eastern Deir Ezzor
Reliable SOHR sources have confirmed that SDF have imposed curfew in the areas of Al-Shuhayl, Theban and Al-Hawayij in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, prohibiting the departure of residents from these areas. SDF also informed shop owners, via loudspeakers, to close their shops until further notice.
SOHR sources have just reported that the tribe of “Ekaydat” in Deir Ezzor province gave SDF and the International Coalition a time limit of one month to arrest individuals who killed the tribe-affiliated elder “Matshar Hammoud Al-Hafl”. In a statement it issued, the tribe confirmed that it would behave according to what it deemed appropriate for the protection of land and properties, in the case that the security chaos in the area would not be controlled.
The tribe called upon the people of other tribes to unit to protect the area and defend it against those actors who want to shed blood and take over the area’s bounties. “Strangers will never defend a land whose people do not care of protecting it,” the tribe’s elders said.
The statement emphasized on the fact that all tribes had to hold a meeting to be familiar with the recent developments and adopt strict measures.
Yesterday, Observatory activists monitored U.S. jets flying over Deir Ezzor countryside, along with sonic boom as the jets were flying too fast over Al-Busayrah city and the towns of Al-Shuhayl, Theban and Al-Hawayij, at a time when protests against SDF were underway in the region.
According to Syrian Observatory sources, new demonstrations took place in Al-Busayrah city and Abu Al-Naytal village in Deir Ezzor countryside, holding SDF responsible for the assassination of the tribal elder “Matshar Hammoud al-Havel”.
The demonstrators also expressed their anger against the increasing SDF violations at checkpoints in the region, as well as the recent security operation “Deterring Terrorism”, in which civilians were arrested, beaten and humiliated, while SDF members looted houses they stormed.
Moreover, the demonstrators blocked the roads, setting rubber tires on fire. While SDF brought in massive reinforcement to the area and strengthened their presence at the entrances of Al-Busayrah, preventing cars from entering or leaving the city.
Furthermore, SDF boosted their checkpoints in Al-Shuhayl, Theban and Al-Hawayij after they had withdrawn from the town that morning.
In the mean time, SDF members opened fire on the demonstrators, injuring six in Al-Hawayij village. The injured people were taken to the hospital in Al-Shuhayl. The demonstrators also burned down Al-Hawayij school, SDF headquarters in the village.
Syrian Observatory activists monitored earlier that afternoon demonstrations in Al-Shuhayl and Theban towns and Al-Hawayij village, controlled by SDF in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor.
The demonstrators demanded “International Coalition” disclose the identity of the murderers of “Sheikh Matshar Hammoud Al-Hafl”, the uncle of “Ekaydat” tribe’s elder, who was killed on Sunday. The demonstrators also blocked the roads and set rubber tires on fire.
According to SOHR sources, SDF traded fire with gunmen who were among the demonstrators in Al-Hawayij village, which resulted in injured to members of both sides. After this exchange of fire, SDF withdrew from the school where they were stationed in the village.
On Sunday, SOHR sources reported that ISIS cells adopted a new strategy by attacking tribal dignitaries and elders, as gunmen opened fire on a vehicle carrying dignitaries of “Ekaydat” tribe on the outskirts of Hawayij village in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor. The attack left the driver and the uncle of “Ekaydat” tribe’s elder dead, while the brother of the tribe’s elder injured.
It is worth noting that the attack took place in SDF-held areas, while the injured persons were hospitalized in Al-Mayadeen city controlled by regime forces and their allies.