Rising tension | SDF deploy troops in villages near crossings used for smuggling, continue transporting ferries and erect soil barriers near Euphrates river
Deir Ezzor Province – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: Syrian Observatory activists say that Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) have imposed curfew on motorcycles in Al-Shuhayl town and Jadidat Bakara village in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, along with burning some motorcycles. This development coincides with the deployment of large number of SDF members at checkpoints along the Euphrates river in the region.
On the other hand, SDF dug trenches and erected soil barriers on frontlines with regime forces and Iranian-backed militias near Al-Salehiyah.
Meanwhile, SDF continued transporting ferries, which had used for smuggling goods, after they had taken over river crossings in the town according to an agreement reached on Monday between SDF and individuals in charge of these crossings.
Yesterday, SOHR sources monitored Syria Democratic Forces and International Coalition Forces running a joint patrol in Al-Zar village and Al-Shuhayl town. The joint patrol fired flares over the river crossings, along with the flight of helicopters at a low altitude.
On the other hand, SOHR sources reported the arrival of cranes and grand trucks brought in by SDF from Al-Omar oilfield in order to take over the river crossings in Al-Shuhayl town. This development came a day after an agreement reached between SDF and individuals in charge of these river crossings.
SDF had released several detainees from Al-Shuhayl town, who had been arrested during security campaigns on river crossings, after an agreement between SDF commanders on one hand, and dignitaries from the town and individuals in charge of these private crossings, which had used for smuggling oil, on the other. The two sides agreed on stopping smuggling operations, resumption of transporting people via these crossings, and the handing over of crossings to SDF.
On December 29, SDF stormed the house of a civilian from Al-Busayrah, who owns several bread bakeries in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, arresting two of his sons. It is worth noting that SDF had confiscated a cargo of flour affiliated the same civilian at the river crossings in Al-Shuhayl town in Deir Ezzor countryside.
Two days earlier, SOHR sources said that Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) stormed river crossings on the Euphrates River in the town of Al-Shuhayl in Deir Ezzor countryside, confiscating two trucks loaded with scrap intended to be transported to areas controlled by regime forces on the opposite side of the river. On the other hand, SDF released several smugglers and workers at river crossings, after being arrested earlier during security operations to prevent smuggling in the area.