On Tuesday, deadly conflicts erupted between armed groups loyal to the US Army in the vicinity of illicit American bases located in the oil and gas fields of Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria.
These conflicts, which involve the use of both heavy and light weaponry, have led to numerous casualties among the U.S.-aligned militants, with an escalating struggle for dominance, control over the stolen Syrian oil, and division of regional wealth.
Local sources in Deir ez-Zor, stated, “A segment of the militants loyal to the U.S. army have lost their lives, with several others injured, due to the outbreak of harsh conflicts that are ongoing.”
These clashes have erupted between the so-called “Deir ez-Zor Military Council” fighters, linked to the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and militants of the “Military Police”, “Asayish” forces, and the “Counterterrorism” units, also known as “HAT”, affiliated with the SDF. The fights have extended to the towns of al-Sour, al-Basira, al-Hussain, and their surrounding villages in northern Deir ez-Zor.
Further reports indicate the fierce confrontations, involving the use of heavy and light weapons as well as RPG shells, broke out near the U.S. base at the “Conoco” natural gas facility, to the east of the unauthorized American base at the “Omar” oil field in northern Deir ez-Zor. These conflicts have reportedly led to a large-scale civilian displacement from the affected areas.
The SDF leadership has allegedly sought assistance from the so-called “International Coalition”, spearheaded by the U.S. Army in Deir ez-Zor, requesting aerial backup due to the high-intensity and widespread nature of the conflicts. In response, an armored military convoy of the “U.S. Coalition” has reportedly departed the “Conoco” field, escorted by helicopters, bound for the town of al-Sour in northern Deir ez-Zor.
The Al Omar oil field, the most extensive and productive oil field in Syria, lies on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River. The “Conoco” field, another U.S. army stronghold, is one of the largest Syrian gas fields and is situated northeast of Deir ez-Zor.
Sources indicate that the onset of the conflicts was triggered by the so-called “Military Police” arresting members of the “Deir ez-Zor Military Council”. However, the main source of tension lies in the SDF leadership’s overt attempts to contain and diminish the “Deir ez-Zor Military Council’s” influence by sending substantial reinforcements from its various units from al-Hasakah and Raqqa to the outskirts of Deir ez-Zor.
Under direct orders from their leader, Ahmad al-Khabil, aka Abu Khawla, militants of the “Deir ez-Zor Military Council” have launched an offensive against all the aforementioned forces’ headquarters. They have also obstructed major and minor roads, including the Kusrah route, connecting western and northern areas of Deir ez-Zor. It is noteworthy that there have been calls to arms and tribal movements from the Bakara and Akidat tribes, which comprise over 70% of the council’s composition, to support the “Deir ez-Zor Military Council” militants.
