Dozens Killed As Us-Backed Militia, Arab Tribal Fighters Clash In Syria

A series of clashes between a US-backed Kurdish-led militia and Arab tribal fighters in Syria have resulted in dozens of casualties, according to reports. The violence was triggered by the arrest of the leader of a tribal militia supported by Arab clans that had collaborated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour. The unrest subsequently spread to other regions, including Hassakeh and Aleppo provinces, leading to a significant humanitarian crisis. The United Nations has received unverified reports of 54 civilian casualties in the ongoing attacks. Critical infrastructure has also been severely affected, with reports of at least two hospitals and three water treatment facilities being destroyed or damaged during the clashes. The United States, which maintains a presence of hundreds of troops in SDF-controlled areas to combat the jihadist group Islamic State (IS), has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The US-led global coalition relied extensively on the Syrian Democratic Forces and their allies to drive IS militants out of vast territories in northern and eastern Syria between 2015 and 2019. While the Syrian government controls adjacent territory west of the River Euphrates, supported by Iran-backed militias, it has largely avoided direct conflict with the SDF during the 12-year-long civil war, citing concerns of "separatism." Rebel factions backed by Turkey control neighboring stretches of land along Syria's northern border. The outbreak of violence began on August 27 following the arrest of Ahmed al-Khubail, also known as Abu Khawla, the leader of the Deir al-Zour Military Council. The SDF framed his arrest as part of an operation targeting IS sleeper cells and drug dealers, accusing him of involvement in multiple crimes, including drug trafficking and failure to curtail IS sleeper cells. In response to Abu Khawla's arrest, Arab tribesmen reportedly set up roadblocks and launched attacks on SDF positions and patrols in several towns along the east bank of the Euphrates. The SDF, attributing the unrest to "elements of the [Syrian] regime and some beneficiaries" of Abu Khawla, deployed reinforcements to regain control in the affected province.