The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Deir ez-Zor | U.S. side meets with tribal elders and dignitaries to discuss developments in the region

Deir ez-Zor Province- Syrian Observatory for Human Rights:

SOHR activists say that a number of dignitaries and elders of the areas of Diban, Al-Shuhayl and the head of al-Akidat clan have met with the U.S. side this morning in Al-Omar oil field in Deir ez-Zor countryside, to discuss the service situations and the developments in the region.

Meanwhile, the U.S. side pledged to continue investigations to uncover the perpetrators of the murder of tribal elders.

On the other hand, SDF deployed its checkpoints and reinforced its positions in all villages of the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, after hours of anti-SDF demonstrations in the city of Al-Busayrah, the towns of Al-Shuhayl, Diban and the village of Al-Hawaij.

Reliable SOHR sources have confirmed that SDF imposed curfew in several areas in 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. 

Yesterday, 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 left many injured on both sides. After this exchange of fire, SDF withdrew from the school where they were stationed in the village.

On August 2, 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.