Tension in Syria: the PKK tries to suppress the uprising of the Arab tribes

The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have sent reinforcements to Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria to put down a rebellion by Arab tribes following the arrest of an Arab commander.

Clashes erupted on Sunday after the SDF arrested Ahmad Al Khubail, known as Abu Hewla, head of the Deir ez-Zor Council. Abu Hewla was also one of the main commanders of the SDF, founded by the United States and on which the terrorist organization PKK/YPG was formed.

In its initial statement on the situation, the SDF said it had arrested and dismissed Abu Hewla for his involvement in many crimes, including drug trafficking and his failure to manage the IS threat in Deir ez-Zor province.

Tribal members and citizens said the escalation of the conflict with the arrest of Abu Hewla revealed deep anger against the SDF, which controls the Arab-dominated oil-rich province. The SDF, on the other hand, argued that they do not discriminate against Arabs and try to make up for the injustice done to the Kurds.

Eyewitnesses and local sources reported that at least 40 fighters and 15 civilians from both sides have been killed since Sunday in clashes in the oil-rich strategic region east of the Euphrates river. (Reuters)