Clashes in Deir ez-Zor, Syria Draw Senior U.S. Officials to the Region

On Sunday, September 3rd, senior U.S. officials traveled to the oil-rich province of Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria to assess the clashes between Arab tribes and Kurdish authorities in northeastern Syria. According to reports, over 50 people have been killed in these conflicts. The Syrian Democratic Forces claim that Iranian-backed militias are involved in the fighting. Ethan Goldrich, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Syria, and Major General Joel Vowell, who heads the anti-ISIS coalition, met with leaders of Arab tribes and commanders of the Syrian Democratic Forces to address local grievances and reduce violence as soon as possible. Last month, the arrest of an Arab commander by the Syrian Democratic Forces, who is said to have ties to the Quds Force and was involved in drug trafficking, sparked unrest and protests in the region. These events quickly escalated tensions and engulfed a region of cities, including Basira to Shaheel, located in the strategic oil belt at the heart of Arab tribal areas in eastern Syria. Arab tribal fighters initially drove Kurdish-led forces out of several major cities, but the Syrian Democratic Forces have regained the upper hand. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights states that the goal of Iranian militias is to incite ethnic conflict between Kurds and Arabs. The Iranian regime's proxy militias are accused of fueling the clashes in Deir ez-Zor, with reports of deadly confrontations between Syrian Democratic Forces. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 23 soldiers were killed in an attack on a bus.