| Arab tribal insurgency in Eastern Syria | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Eastern Syria insurgency | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| |||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Mazloum Abdi Ayed al-Turki al-Khabil  Nesrin Abdullah |  Ibrahim al-Hafl Hashim al-Sattam [2]  Muhammad al-Sa'eed Nawaf al-Bashir | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| |||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown killed 6 captured [4] | 1 killed, 3 injured [4] | ||||||
| Unknown | |||||||
The Arab tribal insurgency in Eastern Syria has been taking place against the Syrian Democratic Forces in the Deir ez-Zor region.
Following the expulsion of the Islamic State from the Deir ez-Zor Governorate, the Syrian Democratic Forces occupied Arab territory and they expropriated houses which made them revolt. [5] [ better source needed ]
On 27 August 2023, clashes broke out between the Syrian Democratic Forces and Arab Tribal and Clan Forces, after the arrest of Abu Khawla. The al-Bakir, al-Shuhayl, Dulaim and Albu Khabur tribes took up arms against the SDF, while the Al-Baggara and most of the Al-Shaitat have remained aligned with the SDF. [6] The "Ousoud al-Ashiyer" militia, backed by Iran, attempted to cross the Euphrates from government-held areas to join the Deir ez-Zor rebellion. [7] The rebellion was repelled by the SDF, with Deir ez-Zor Military Council and Women's Protection Units, and the United States Air Force. [8] The operations against the Syrian Democratic Forces were carried out by Liwa al-Quds, Zidan Al-Halloush's militia and Ahmed Al-Rayes's militia where members of Northern Democratic Brigade died. [9]
On 8 August 2024, the US Air Force bombed Arab areas, while the Arab Tribal and Clan Forces, commanded by Ibrahim al-Hafl, launched attacks on Diban, Abu Hardub [10] and Gharanij [11] from government-held territory. [12] [13] [14]
On 20 January 2025, gunmen reportedly affiliated with al-Hafl crossed the Euphrates River and launched an attack on SDF checkpoints and headquarters in the towns of Diban and Abu Hamam using rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). This assault resulted in injuries to three SDF fighters, who were later transported to Omar Military Hospital for medical treatment. A tribal faction led by al-Hafl advocated for an Arab uprising against the SDF. [15] [16] In retaliation, the SDF confronted the tribal fighters with fighters from Al-Hasakah to Deir ez-Zor. By the end of the following day, the SDF had all positions. [17] [18] The subsequent week saw Asayish initiate a security operation that led to multiple arrests. [19]
On 14 August 2025, clashes erupted between the SDF and Arab Tribal and Clan Forces insurgents; during the clashes, an Arab militant was killed, three others were injured and six SDF members were captured. [4]
