A US Department of Defense (Pentagon) official stated that the United States is concerned about the military escalation in the eastern Deir Ezzor province between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on one side and the tribal forces backed by the Syrian regime on the other.
The official told Enab Baladi that the US is worried about the potential impact this escalation might have on civilians, and how it might affect ongoing efforts to defeat the Islamic State group.
In response to questions posed by Enab Baladi, he called for de-escalation and maintaining the ceasefire, describing them as fundamental pillars of US policies in the region.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, August 13, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder responded to journalists’ questions about potentially supporting the SDF against the regime. He stated that US forces in Syria are focused on permanently defeating the Islamic State.
He added that the SDF remains a good and essential partner in this battle, which continues to underpin the US relationship and cooperation with it.
Ryder noted that because a significant part of Syria has been ungoverned for many years, groups like the Islamic State have been able to incite violence, which remains a challenge. He emphasized that the US presence in Syria is focused on the permanent defeat of the Islamic State.
Clashes continue in the eastern Deir Ezzor province. Enab Baladi’s correspondent in Deir Ezzor observed renewed clashes between the SDF stationed in the town of Darnaj and the regime-affiliated tribal forces in the town of al-Ashara.
The correspondent reported that the SDF shelled the village of al-Kishma, where regime forces are stationed west of the Euphrates, with several mortar shells.
For the past week, villages and towns along both banks of the Euphrates River in the eastern Deir Ezzor countryside have witnessed military escalation between the two sides.
The confrontations have resulted in 17 civilian deaths, according to a report issued by the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) on Tuesday, August 13, along with a mass displacement from the conflict areas.
The report documented the deaths of at least 17 civilians, including eight children and six women, and injuries to at least 34 others due to indiscriminate attacks with heavy weaponry and gunfire in areas controlled by both sides.
The report affirmed that both parties have undoubtedly violated several customary international law provisions, particularly the distinction between civilians and combatants, causing widespread fear among civilians and forcing them into displacement.
The parties were urged to immediately cease the escalation and indiscriminate attacks, adhere to protecting essential civilian infrastructure—especially water pumping stations—and ensure their reoperation to provide clean water for the population.