The province of Deir Ezzor, especially the areas previously under the control of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, has witnessed tensions and clashes between several military factions over the past ten days.

While the Military Operations Administration affiliated with the Syrian opposition factions is trying to gain control over the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Deir Ezzor, the US-led International Coalition’s aircraft is preventing the opposition fighters from advancing.

The Military Operations Administration was responsible for leading the battle of “Deterrence of Aggression” from November 27 until the downfall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8, having controlled Aleppo, Homs, Hama, and finally Damascus, all within 11 days.

What happened in Deir Ezzor?

The beginning was on December 3, when the Deir Ezzor Military Council affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) attacked the regime forces and Iranian militias stationed in the seven villages east of the Euphrates River, which was the only area under regime control east of the river at that time.

However, the attack failed for several reasons, according to a leader in the Deir Ezzor Military Council who spoke to Enab Baladi. These reasons included the resistance of the regime forces and the allied militias in the area, the “intense” shelling by regime forces, the withdrawal of SDF troops, not allowing them to participate in the operation, and preventing local tribal fighters from taking part in the attack.

In addition, the limited weaponry used in the battle did not adequately cover the fronts, with only 15 armored vehicles participating in the operation.

Before the withdrawal of the regime forces, control in Deir Ezzor was distributed between two military forces, alongside the presence of foreign troops in both areas of control.

The eastern Euphrates region is controlled by the SDF, supported by the International Coalition, and has coalition bases, but there are seven villages not controlled by the SDF: al-Salhiya, Tabia, Hatla, Khesham, Marrat, Mazloum, and Husseiniya.

Meanwhile, the western Euphrates area in Deir Ezzor was under regime control and witnessed the presence of various multinational Iranian militias, as well as local militias affiliated with Iran.

The villages were a launching point for groups supported by the regime to carry out attacks against the SDF, with the regime previously providing artillery support during some attacks in the area, according to previous statements by the SDF.

Regime withdrawal

On December 6, the regime withdrew its forces from Deir Ezzor towards the city of Homs in central Syria, coinciding with the Military Operations Administration’s attack on the city after its control over Aleppo and Hama. This attack ended with the capture of Damascus and the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

Another direction taken by the withdrawing regime soldiers was entering Iraqi territory via the al-Bukamal – al-Qaim border crossing.

The Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported that more than a thousand soldiers requested entry into Iraq, and they were received and provided with necessary care and needs.

This withdrawal was met with an advance of the SDF towards the city of Deir Ezzor, followed by the control of the city of al-Bukamal on the Syrian-Iraqi border.

The SDF justified its deployment due to recent developments “that pose a threat to the safety of our people and our region in Deir Ezzor,” following the advance of opposition factions and the activity of the Islamic State group.

In an attempt to win over the population opposing its forces, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi issued a general amnesty the following day without exception for those wanted in the Deir Ezzor areas.

Abdi linked the decision of the amnesty to the SDF’s advance in Deir Ezzor to secure the area amid ongoing battlefield changes, according to his statement.

He called for everyone to cooperate to “preserve security and peace,” emphasizing the reliance on the role of citizens and tribes to prevent chaos and protect the region.

Public rejection

Residents of Deir Ezzor took to the streets in protests rejecting the entry of the SDF, calling for the Military Operations Administration to enter the city. The protesters also demanded that the Military Operations Administration forcibly remove the SDF from the city.

The protests were met with SDF gunfire on the demonstrators, according to an Enab Baladi reporter, resulting in civilian casualties.

According to the Deir Ezzor 24 news network, on Monday, two young men, Ibrahim Khalil al-Sheikh and Aboud Orfali, were killed after being shot during a demonstration in Deir Ezzor city.

Nahr Media news network reported that the number of fatalities during the Deir Ezzor protests from SDF gunfire rose to four.

The SDF has not commented on the killing of the demonstrators up to the time of this report.

Following this, clashes occurred between the SDF and fighters from the city, with local networks publishing video clips they claimed showed the arrival of fighters from the Military Operations Administration in Deir Ezzor.

A leader in the Military Operations Administration, Captain Hassan Abdul Ghani, stated on Sunday that their forces are advancing in the western Deir Ezzor countryside.

At the same time, there were criticisms regarding the insufficient deployment of Military Operations Administration forces to repel the SDF, and the Military Operations Administration did not comment on this.

International Coalition intervenes

According to what a reporter from Enab Baladi relayed from fighters in the Military Operations Administration, they attempted to advance towards the city of Deir Ezzor, but International Coalition aircraft flew over the area and broke the sound barrier with every attempt at an incursion, serving as a warning to opposition fighters against advancing into the city.

The International Coalition, led by the United States, provides support at various levels to the SDF, considering it an ally in Syria, and the SDF has cooperated with the Coalition in operations against the Islamic State group.

There were discussions about an agreement reached between the SDF and the Military Operations Administration for the SDF to withdraw to the eastern Euphrates and withdraw its heavy weapons, while the western Euphrates region would remain under the control of the Military Operations Administration.

However, the situation on the ground does not indicate this, as the SDF remains in the area, and the International Coalition does not allow fighters from the Military Operations Administration to advance towards the city.

The control map in Deir Ezzor province between the Syrian Democratic Forces (yellow) and the Military Operations Administration (green) – December 10, 2024 (Liveuamap)