SDF arrests top commander, causing unrest in eastern Syria

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Uncertainty and unrest have spread across eastern Syria after the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) arrested one of its Arab commanders. At least three people have been killed during reported clashes between the SDF and the commander’s supporters.

The Kurdish-led SDF on Sunday arrested Ahmed Khbeil, better known as Abu Khawla, commander of the SDF-linked Deir ez-Zor Military Council, and several of his colleagues after inviting them to a meeting in Hasaka, northeast Syria (Rojava), reported several local media outlets.  

The US-backed SDF has yet to confirm the arrest of the commander who is from a powerful Arab tribe in the eastern province of Deir ez-Zor.  

Baz news outlet, which is affiliated to Abu Khawla, said in a statement on Sunday that its office in Hasaka was shut down by Kurdish security forces and a number of their journalists were detained.  

Deir ez-Zor Military Council has played a key role in SDF’s military operations against the Islamic State (ISIS) in eastern Syria. The council said in a statement on Monday that Abu Khawla has not made any concessions to the SDF, claiming that the people of Deir ez-Zor have refused to support a newly-launched anti-ISIS operation in the area.   

Hours after Abu Khawla was arrested, the SDF launched “Operation Security Reinforcement” in Deir ez-Zor, claiming that it followed calls from the area’s commanders and tribal leaders to stop ISIS attacks. Some saw the operation as an effort to prevent resistance from Abu Khawla's supporters in the area. 

“This operation, with well-defined objectives, is a completion of prior operations in the Al-Jazeera and Raqqa areas. Its primary goals encompass eradicating the ISIS terrorist cells, thwarting their potential attacks, and pursuing criminals responsible for perpetrating injustices against the local population. It also aims at tracking down smugglers who exploit the populace’s livelihoods,” read a statement by the SDF. 

DeirEzzor24 news outlet reported that three members of the Deir ez-Zor Military Council were killed during clashes with the SDF on Monday. However, Farhad Shami, head of the SDF’s media centre, told SDF-affiliated Ronahi TV that three unidentified fighters were killed after attacking their forces.  

DeirEzzor24 news outlet also reported that Abu Khawla’s brother, Jalal, has called on Arab tribes to prepare for attacks on the SDF in Deir ez-Zor. 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that a pro-Iran tribal leader has called on Arab tribes to “free Deir ez-Zor from the despicable Kurds.” 

It is not clear why Abu Khawla and his colleagues were arrested but some media outlets claimed that he had recently gotten closer to the Syrian regime. The fate of the group he commanded also remains unclear. 

Curfews were imposed by the SDF in Hasaka and neighbouring towns following the development. 

SDF officials did not immediately respond to Rudaw English questions.