The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Attacks on tribal dignitaries in SDF-held areas | New phenomenon sparks considerable popular anger and reflects escalating security chaos

Instability and security chaos escalate in areas under the control of Syria Democratic Forces, especially in Deir Ezzor, as a series of assassinations have recently hit these areas claiming the lives of several prominent tribal dignitaries. These assassinations come at a time when the region is showing resistance to the decrees and decisions of SDF, especially with SDF’s policy of dealing exclusively with the region’s resources. One examples, among many, was the Autonomous Administration’s recent deals with the American oil company “Delta Crescent Energy”. The assassinations also coincided with the announcement by SDF and the International Coalition of launching a security campaign against ISIS cells in the region.

The Syrian Observatory has documented several assassinations targeting tribal elders and dignitaries in Deir Ezzor. The series of such assassinations started on July 31, 2020, when ISIS claimed responsibility for the killing of “Ali Suleiman Al-Hamadah”, the official spokesperson for “Al-Ekaydat tribe”, in Al-Busayrah town in eastern Deir Ezzor. It is worth noting that “Al-Ekaydat” is a large Arab tribe which dominates the Near Euphrates region with some 500,000 members and affiliates.

On August 1, gunmen opened fire on a vehicle carrying dignitaries of “Ekaydat” tribe, including “Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Hafal” and “Sheikh Matshar Al-Hafal”, the uncle of the head of “Ekaydat” tribe and one of the owners of the land where Al-Omar oil field is located. The attack, which took place in Theban town in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, resulted in the death of “Sheikh Matshar Al-Hafal” and the car’s driver, while “Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Hafal” sustained serious injuries.

Another attack has targeted “Ali Al-Salman Al-Bakari” the head of Al-Dahla village in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, he is also a senior dignitary of “Al-Bakarah” tribe, one of the largest Arab tribes in the region.

In this context, the “Ekaydat” tribe held SDF responsible for the series of assassinations against tribal elders and dignitaries, as SDF have not adopted the needed measures or procedures in order to control the security situation and put an end to the assassinations in areas under their control.

Moreover, Observatory activists monitored growing popular anger as well as the escalating protests and demonstrations in the wake of these repeated assassinations which were only met by SDF’s inaction, in addition to the increasing violations at SDF checkpoints during the recent security operation “Deterring Terrorism”, in which civilians were arrested, beaten and humiliated, while SDF members looted the houses they stormed.

Accordingly, demonstrations took place in Al-Busayrah city and Abu Al-Naytal village in Deir Ezzor countryside, in which protesters held SDF responsible for the assassinations of the tribal elders and dignitaries. 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, SDF members  opened fire on the demonstrators, injuring six in Al-Hawayij village. The demonstrators responded to SDF practices by burning down Al-Hawayij school, the SDF headquarters in the village.

On the other hand, the SDF-backed Autonomous Administration in north-western Syria seemed satisfied with issuing a statement on August 4, denying its responsibility for the assassinations that targeted tribal elders. In its statement, the Autonomous Administration condemned the attacks on “Al-Ekaydat” tribe, describing these attacks as “terrorist acts which aim to fulfil specific agendas through shedding the blood of Syrian people”. The statement has also refuted the claims of tribes’ demands to SDF to leave the area, emphasizing that SDF comprise young people of the region’s tribes.

Similarly, Syria Democratic Council (SDC) blamed the “Syrian Tribes and Clans Council”, which is backed by Turkey, Syrian regime and ISIS, for the recent assassination and stirring up strife, according to the statement by “Riad Darar” the joint chief of SDC on August 8.

Furthermore, the U.S. side has condemned the attack on the elders of “Al-Akidat” clan in Deir ez-Zor, in a statement published on the U.S. Embassy website in Damascus. This is the first time Washington has issued such a statement despite repeated assassinations and killings, the statement reads:

“Violence against civilians is unacceptable and undermines the efforts to find a lasting political solution to the conflict in Syria in line with UN Security Council resolution 2254, and we reiterate our support for a nationwide ceasefire in Syria, as called for by UN special representative Geir Pedersen.”

On 5 August 2020, SOHR activists said that a number of dignitaries and elders of the areas of Diban, Al-Shuhayl and the head of al-Akidat clan met with the U.S. side in Al-Omar oil field in Deir ez-Zor countryside to discuss the public services and the developments in the region.

Meanwhile, the U.S. side has pledged to continue investigations to uncover the murderers of tribal elders.

Despite SDF’s control of large areas of Deir ez-Zor countryside, Iranian militias and Russian forces share control over the province with SDF. Iranian militias control the area from Albu Kamal to Al-Mayadeen, while Russian forces and pro-regime militias control Deir ez-Zor. As for Syrian regime forces, they are present in areas held by Iranian and Russian militias and are under their command. All these forces are trying to woo various clans.

In the meantime, representatives of the Syrian regime forces met with loyal dignitaries of Al-Akidat clan on August 12, 2020, at Al-Qamishli airport in the regime-controlled areas in Al-Hasakeh countryside.

According to Observatory sources, regime forces are seeking to create a popular uprising against the SDF, arming the youths to form a tribal military council to expel SDF from the area.

SOHR sources had reported earlier that “Zubayd tribes meeting”, organized by the head of “Al-Ekaydat” tribe “Sheikh Mus’aab Khalil Al-Hafal”, was held in Theban town in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor.

The meeting discussed the general situation in Deir Ezzor and the deteriorating security  in the area. The meeting was concluded by a statement by Al-Ekaydat tribe in which it accused Syria Democratic Forces of failure to manage the military, civilian and economic affairs in the area. The statement focused on several points, most notably, the International Coalition to bear responsibility for the security chaos and instability in Deir Ezzor, since it is in charge of the de facto authority.

On the other hand, the pro-SDF dignitaries and tribal elders in the southern countryside of Hasaka have issued a statement announcing their support for the SDF, stressing their rejection of the strife in the region.

Dignitaries and tribal elders in Al-Raqqah province also issued a statement affirming their categorical rejection of the Syrian regime and Iranian forces’ policy and declaring their full support for Al-Akidat tribe.

These series of assassinations reflect a desire to disrupt the tribal  structures from within by assassinating their leaders and replacing them with new and inexperienced leaders. This phenomenon is the first of its kind, as no one has dared to threaten or target tribal elders over the course of their history in Deir ez-Zor,

In addition to the conflict between international and regional powers in the area of Deir ez-Zor to seize and extract oil resources, by wooing tribes in Deir ez-Zor, as well as the success of the various forces in exploiting the differences between the tribesmen and their different affiliations.

Moreover, the tribes of Deir ez-Zor are seeking to exploit these events to get their share of power and establish their own self-rule, freely dispose of their wealth and resources and try to remove SDF from the political scene there.