Arab tribal insurgency in Eastern Syria

Arab tribal insurgency in Eastern Syria
Part of the Eastern Syria insurgency
Arab Tribal and Clan Forces    Syrian Democratic Forces
Date 27 August 2023 (2023-08-27) – 20 January 2026 (2 years, 4 months, 4 weeks and 2 days) Location Deir ez-Zor Governorate, Syria Status Syrian government-Arab Tribal victory Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor Governorates are to be ceded to the Syrian transitional government
Belligerents
Arab Tribal and Clan Forces Local Tribes Supported by: Turkey [1] Ba'athist Syria (until 2024) Syrian transitional government (since 2024)	Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria Supported by:   United States
Commanders and leaders
Ibrahim al-Hafl Hashim al-Sattam [2] Muhammad al-Sa'eed Nawaf al-Bashir Ahmed al-Sharaa Abu Hatem Shaqra [3]	Mazloum Abdi Ferhad Şamî Sipan Hamo Ayed al-Turki al-Khabil Nesrin Abdullah Abu Omar al-Idlibi
Units involved
Arab Tribal and Clan Forces Dulaim Albu Khabur Al-Shaitat [4] [5] Al-Baggara [4] [6] al-Buhamad clan [7] Al-Uqaydat [6] al-Bakir Al-Busraya [6] Shammar tribes Al-Sanadid Forces (former SDF group switched sides) [8] Lions of the Ougaidat Brigade [2] (until 2025) [9] Liwa al-Quds (until 2024) "Ousoud al-Ashiyer" militia Ahmed Al-Rayes's militia Zidan Al-Halloush's militia Syrian Army 86th Division [3]	Syrian Democratic Forces Deir ez-Zor Military Council Women's Protection Units Hajin Military Council Internal Security Forces Northern Democratic Brigade People's Defense Units [10] United States Air Force
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
1 killed, 3 injured [11]	Unknown killed 6 captured [11]
Unknown

The Arab tribal insurgency in Eastern Syria has been taking place against the Syrian Democratic Forces in the Deir ez-Zor Governorate region.

Background

See also: Deir ez-Zor campaign (2017–2019)

Arab tribal representatives have accused the SDF of stealing the region's oil resources and using its wealth to fund Kurdish-majority regions in the occupation during Deir ez-Zor campaign (2017–2019). In addition to the SDF's discrimination against Arab tribal groups. ^[12]

In July 2023, SDF forces moved towards the Euphrates apparently to deter an attack by Iranian and Syrian forces massing on the west bank of the river. ^[13]

Timeline

2023

Main article: Deir ez-Zor clashes (2023)

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 commander of the Deir ez-Zor Military Council. ^[14] Jalal Al-Khabil, a commander of the Deir ez-Zor Military Council, called on the International Coalition Forces to intervene and ordered armed men from the Al-Uqaydat tribe to besiege the SDF headquarters to exert pressure to free Abu Khawla. ^[15] 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. ^[16] The "Ousoud al-Ashiyer" militia, backed by Iran, attempted to cross the Euphrates from government-held areas to join the Deir ez-Zor rebellion. ^[15] The rebellion was repelled by the SDF, with Deir ez-Zor Military Council and Women's Protection Units, and the United States Air Force. ^[17] 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. ^[18]

2024

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 ^[19] and Gharanij ^[20] from government-held territory. ^{[21] [22] [23]}

2025

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. ^{[24] [25]} 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. ^{[26] [27]} The subsequent week saw Asayish initiate a security operation that led to multiple arrests. ^[28]

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. ^[11]

See also

• Deir ez-Zor Governorate campaign

References

1. "Türkiye'den Deyr-Ez Zor'daki çatışmalara ilişkin açıklama" (in Turkish). Yeni Akit.
2. "Profile: Lions of the Ougaidat Brigade". The Washington Institute.
3. "Following clashes on Euphrates river bank – SDF launch arrest and inspection campaign in Deir Ezzor". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 16 August 2025. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
4. "Syrian tribe declares mobilization against SDF in eastern Deir Ezzor after killing of young man". Enab Baladi. 11 September 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
5. Haid, Haid (27 August 2025). "Tribal Mobilization Threatens Northeast Syria: Sweida as a Cautionary Tale". Arab Reform Initiative.
6. خضر, علاء الدين. "كيف فعّل الشرع الخطة "ب" لإخضاع قسد خلال ساعات؟". الجزيرة نت (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 18 January 2026. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
7. "عشائر عربية تعلن دعمها للحكومة السورية ضد تنظيم "قسد" الإرهابي". 17 January 2026. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
8. "Shammar Chief Meets al-Sharaa in Most Significant SDF-Linked Tribal Outreach". 19 January 2026.
9. Essa (20 June 2025). "قادة ميليشيات داعمة للأسد يجرون تسويات مع الحكومة". القدس العربي (in Arabic). Retrieved 30 June 2025.
10. "Syria Today – Deal in Deir-ez-Zor, Bombing in Idleb Leads to More Displacement". The Syrian Observer. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
11. "Dramatic escalation | Ten people killed, wounded and kidnapped in attack on SDF members in Deir Ezzor". SOHR . 14 August 2025.
12. Ibrahim, Arwa. "Fears of escalation grow as dozens die in SDF-militia fighting in Syria". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
13. "Mobilization on both Euphrates banks; Who lights the fuse?". Enab Baladi. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
14. "U.S. backed Kurdish-led forces in eastern Syria battle Arab tribal unrest". Yahoo News. 30 August 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
15. "SDF-held areas in August 2023 | 185 people killed and wounded in acts of violence…bloody war between SDF and tribal forces tops the events…Turkish forces continue military escalation executing over 15 airstrikes". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
16. "A dangerous escalation in Syria's Deir ez-Zor". Middle East Institute. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
17. "'A volcano': Arab grievances in Syria's Deir Ezzor pit US allies against each other". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
18. "Deir Ezzor clashes five days on | 90 people killed and injured in clashes between SDF, "Deir Ezzor Military Council" and loyalists". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
19. Farhat, Beatrice (8 August 2024). "Clashes between Arab tribes, SDF forces in Syria pose challenge to US". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
20. "Deir Ezzor: Clashes force families to flee in search of safety". Enab Baladi. 7 August 2024.
21. Ali, Salam (8 August 2024). "As Arab forces attack the SDF in Deir e-Zor, Iran pulls the strings". Syria Direct. Translated by Mateo Nelson. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
22. "Syria – Security situation. Country of Origin Information Report" (PDF). www.euaa.europa.eu. October 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
23. "OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVEAND OTHER U.S. GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES RELATED TO IRAQ & SYRIA" (PDF). www.oig.usaid.gov. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
24. Abdurrahman, Omar (20 January 2025). "Unknown gunmen attack SDF posts in Deir ez-Zor". North Press Agency. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
25. "Iran Update, January 20, 2025". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
26. Abdurrahman, Omar (21 January 2025). "SDF regains control of posts in Deir ez-Zor after attack by armed groups". North Press Agency. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
27. "Iran Update, January 21, 2025". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
28. Khoja, Abdulsalam (23 January 2025). "SDF launches security operation in Deir ez-Zor, captures dozens". North Press Agency. Retrieved 30 April 2025.