Deir ez-Zor clashes (2023)
Starting on 27 August 2023, an escalation of violence occurred across Deir ez-Zor Governorate in eastern Syria. The clashes began after the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is the military force of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) arrested the military commander of Deir ez-Zor Military Council known by the name of Abu Khawla, accusing him of corruption and unlawful activity. Abu Khawla has the support of some Arab tribes in Deir-Ez-Zor. The arrest led to a spiraling cycle of violence that escalated when tribal gunmen launched an offensive against the SDF in the region. As a result of the ongoing clashes, tribal fighters managed to take control of some towns and villages. However, a counterattack by the SDF regained control of all lost areas by 7 September 2023. The SDF officially termed the counter-attack Operation Security Reinforcement. Another, short-lived rebellion took place from 25 to 27 September, inspired by an attack by pro-Syrian government militias from across the Euphrates; this uprising was quickly defeated by the SDF.
| Deir ez-Zor clashes (2023) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Eastern Syria insurgency in the Syrian Civil War | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
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Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES)
Deir ez-Zor Military Council loyalists Pro-SDF Arab clans of Deir ez-ZorUnited States |
Deir ez-Zor Military Council rebels
Syrian government loyalists | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
| Mazloum Abdi |
Ibrahim Al-Hifl (Al Uqaydat sheikh) Nawaf al-Bashir (Ousoud al-Ashiyer leader) | ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
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Syrian Democratic Forces
United States Air Force |
DZMC military units Pro-government militias
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| Strength | |||||||||
| Thousands | Unknown | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| 29 killed | 79 killed | ||||||||
| 10 civilians killed | |||||||||
The clashes have resulted in 118 people being killed across northeastern Syria.