SDF Regains Control Over Major Towns in Deir Ezzor’s Eastern Countryside

Turkish-backed fighters are positioned on the Mahsali and Arab Hasan frontline on the outskirts of Manbij in northeastern Syria as they fight with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), on September 4, 2023. (Photo by Rami al SAYED / AFP)
Turkish-backed fighters are positioned on the Mahsali and Arab Hasan frontline on the outskirts of Manbij in northeastern Syria as they fight with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), on September 4, 2023. (Photo by Rami al SAYED / AFP)
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SDF Regains Control Over Major Towns in Deir Ezzor’s Eastern Countryside

Turkish-backed fighters are positioned on the Mahsali and Arab Hasan frontline on the outskirts of Manbij in northeastern Syria as they fight with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), on September 4, 2023. (Photo by Rami al SAYED / AFP)
Turkish-backed fighters are positioned on the Mahsali and Arab Hasan frontline on the outskirts of Manbij in northeastern Syria as they fight with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), on September 4, 2023. (Photo by Rami al SAYED / AFP)

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) regained control over al-Busayra and the largest part of the al-Shuhayel district and imposed a security cordon on Dhiban and al-Hawaij towns.

The towns, on the bed of the Euphrates River in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor in the east of Syria, are among the largest cities that have witnessed heavy clashes between Arab tribes' militants and fighters who withdrew from the Deir Ezzor Military Council against the SDF forces.

A US-led international coalition against ISIS terrorists supports the SDF.

A senior SDF military official said they held a "positive" meeting with US officials and the commander of the international coalition forces in the presence of Arab tribal sheikhs and elders.

The meeting addressed the situation in the Deir Ezzor countryside and foreign interventions, provided that military operations continue to comb the area and pursue armed groups.

The SDF pushed more reinforcements to the areas that witnessed armed clashes in eastern Syria.

SDF media official Farhad Shami said that the residents of these areas appealed to the Forces to rid them of the armed groups who have wreaked havoc over the past few days in the region.

Shami told Asharq Al-Awsat that the SDF has begun to shift the battles in their favor, calling on the residents to abide by the curfew, and asserting they will hold those responsible for bloodshed accountable for their crimes.

Shami confirmed that the forces are combing the areas surrounding Dhiban, noting that tensions were limited to five towns and 25 villages out of dozens of cities and more than 100 villages in the region.

The areas that witnessed violent armed clashes are among the wealthiest oil areas in Syria, and 900 US soldiers and dozens of foreign forces are deployed as part of their combat missions in fighting ISIS terrorists.

Several areas of the Deir Ezzor’s countryside witnessed violent armed clashes that broke out after the SDF forces removed the leader of the Military Council, Ahmed al-Khabil, last month.

He was arrested on charges of corruption and drug trafficking, which sparked tension between the region's tribesmen that later turned into armed clashes, killing over 50 civilians and soldiers.

Earlier, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Syria, Ethan Goldrich, and Major General Joel Vowell, who heads the coalition against ISIS, met Arab tribal leaders and SDF commanders and agreed to "address local grievances" and "de-escalate violence as soon as possible and avoid casualties."



Baghdad Fears Iranian Retaliation, Cites Iraq as Key Missile Route

Image of a drone launch from a video posted by the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq” on Telegram
Image of a drone launch from a video posted by the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq” on Telegram
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Baghdad Fears Iranian Retaliation, Cites Iraq as Key Missile Route

Image of a drone launch from a video posted by the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq” on Telegram
Image of a drone launch from a video posted by the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq” on Telegram

Politicians and analysts believe Iraq is particularly worried about a potential conflict between Iran and Israel. This is because Iraqi airspace and territory might be the main route for Iranian missiles.
While many Iraqis seem indifferent to the possibility of a war, there is a heated debate online. Some critics of Iran are dismissive of the threat, while its supporters expect a strong retaliation.
A political source close to the Coordination Framework warns that Iraq, given its location near both Iran and Israel, could be heavily affected by a conflict between Tehran and Tel Aviv.
The source, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat under conditions of anonymity, noted that Iraq’s ability to prevent or handle the fallout from such a conflict is nearly nonexistent.
If a war breaks out, Iraqi territory will be exposed, similar to the situation in April when Iranian missiles flew over Iraq to strike Israel.
The source explained that Iranian attacks could happen in two ways: through missiles crossing Iraqi airspace or via missiles launched by Iranian-aligned factions inside Iraq.
In both cases, it would be very difficult for the Iraqi government to respond, given its lack of control over these groups.
There are also concerns that these factions might launch broader attacks on their own, even without direct orders.
Additionally, if the conflict escalates uncontrollably, Israel might target important infrastructure in Iraq directly. This includes possible threats to Basra’s ports, similar to past Israeli actions in Yemen, if Iraqi factions join the conflict on Iran's side.
Former diplomat Ghazi Faisal agrees that the Iraqi government has limited ability to avoid the fallout from a potential conflict between Iran and Israel.
Faisal told Asharq Al-Awsat that Baghdad is trying to stay neutral amid the regional tensions and conflicts, including those involving Iran.
Despite efforts to address factions responsible for past attacks, Faisal said the Iraqi government cannot control or deter armed groups linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
While the Iraqi government aims to avoid war and supports Palestinian rights, Faisal warned that Iraq’s stance could become divided if a conflict breaks out, due to the complex ties between local factions and Tehran.