Syrian Conflicts Reach Iraq Border; US Suggests to Assad to Distance from Iran

The Syrian army and its allied forces are facing attacks from the Syrian Democratic Forces in villages in the northern outskirts of Deir ez-Zor province near the Iraq border and are currently countering them. At the same time, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported severe clashes in northern Hama between rebels and the forces of Bashar al-Assad and his allies, while UN officials warned of the expanding humanitarian crisis, increasing civilian casualties, and a wave of refugees in Syria. Reuters also reported on recent 'contacts' between the US and the United Arab Emirates with Syria, suggesting that if Assad distances his government from Iran and cuts off arms routes for Hezbollah from Syrian territory, sanctions against him could be lifted. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs announced on Monday, December 3, that by Saturday alone, more than 48,500 people have been displaced in Idlib and northern Aleppo, with more than half of them being children. This figure shows a significant increase compared to the 14,000 reported just two days earlier. Tom Fletcher, the director of this UN agency, wrote on social media platform X: 'Tens of thousands are being displaced; vital services have been cut off; and women, men, and children are worried about their safety.' Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, also expressed concern over 'the repeated deaths of innocent civilians and the displacement of thousands more.' He wrote on X: 'The region's shoulders cannot bear crisis after crisis. Humanitarian agencies are doing everything they can to help, but peace is urgently needed.' Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, stated in a statement: 'The people of Syria have endured nearly 14 years of conflict. They deserve a political vision for a peaceful future, not more bloodshed.' 'Severe clashes' are ongoing between armed Kurds and the army in the easternmost province of Syria. Reuters reported on Tuesday, December 4, citing the official Syrian news agency SANA, that the Syrian army and its allied forces are facing attacks from the Syrian Democratic Forces in villages in the northern outskirts of Deir ez-Zor province and are currently countering them. The Syrian Democratic Forces, known as SDF, are an alliance of armed fighters led by Kurds in northern and eastern Syria who have been cooperating with the US-led coalition against ISIS and in securing oil field areas in this part of Syria for the past decade. The SDF collaborates with the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in the mentioned areas, while Turkey, Syria's northern neighbor, classifies both forces as terrorist organizations. The armed Kurdish forces under the SDF umbrella were forced to retreat from parts of Aleppo province where they were stationed towards areas in eastern and northeastern Syria under Kurdish influence due to increased military pressure from the rebels of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, who have pushed the Syrian army out of major areas in Aleppo. Nevertheless, the new clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces in northern and eastern Syria with the army loyal to Bashar al-Assad and allies who have arrived in the country to prevent the fall of the central government are significant due to Deir ez-Zor's border with Iraq. Numerous reports over the past decade indicate the extensive deployment of the IRGC in Deir ez-Zor, especially in the Bukamal area near the Iraq border. Regional reports indicate severe clashes on Tuesday between SDF forces and the Syrian army in villages around the towns of Salhiya, Marat, and Tal Abyad in the northern outskirts of Deir ez-Zor, and the Syrian Ministry of Information announced that the army is 'countering' the 'terrorists of the Deir ez-Zor Military Council.' Meanwhile, Reuters reported on Monday in an 'exclusive report' citing five sources familiar with recent US and UAE contacts with Syria, that Washington and Abu Dhabi had suggested to Bashar al-Assad that if he 'distances his government from Iran and cuts off arms routes for Hezbollah from Syrian territory,' sanctions against him could be lifted. These negotiations have expanded over recent months in preparation for the end of the current sanctions against Syria and Bashar al-Assad, which will expire on December 21. However, the negotiations took place before the start of the rebels' attack in Idlib and Aleppo provinces against the Syrian government. Meanwhile, sources who spoke with Reuters emphasized that the recent advances of jihadists opposing the Syrian government indicate a weakness in Bashar al-Assad's relations with Iran, and there is still an opportunity for the US and UAE to use this to distance Assad from Iran. Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of Abu Dhabi and the UAE, played a key role in the reintegration of Bashar al-Assad among Arab countries after the bloody civil war in Syria over the past decade. The Israeli Kan network also reported on Monday night that a similar proposal was made to Bashar al-Assad during the visit of Ron Dermer, Israel's Minister of Strategic Affairs, who went to Moscow on a mission from Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss with Russian officials who have a role and influence in Syria. The Kan network did not mention Moscow's response to this proposal. 'Severe clashes' in northern Hama. Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported severe clashes in northern Hama between rebels and Bashar al-Assad's forces, calling it 'the most intense fighting' in recent days. According to this London-based organization, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham forces captured or recaptured several villages in northern Hama, but in the village of Qalaat al-Madiq, clashes were intense, and Bashar al-Assad's forces, supported by airstrikes, prevented Tahrir al-Sham from entering this village. The official Syrian news agency (SANA) also reported the recapture of several villages in northern Hama. On the other hand, Reuters reported that on Sunday, at least 300 Iraqi forces affiliated with the Islamic Republic, mainly from the Badr and Nujaba groups, entered Syrian territory to assist Bashar al-Assad's forces. Iraqi militia groups have denied this news. Reuters also reported from three sources that Hezbollah has not yet been requested to send forces to Syria, and this group does not have the capacity and readiness to do so. According to this report, Hezbollah forces that were present in Syria returned to Lebanon in mid-October during the escalation of this group's conflict with Israel. Continuing reactions; Zarif announced the possibility of a Doha meeting. Meanwhile, Matthew Miller, spokesman for the US State Department, reiterated on Monday evening the call for de-escalation in Syria and urged all countries, including Iran and Russia, to use their influence to 'reduce tensions, protect civilians, and ultimately advance the political process.' He emphasized: 'If Russia and Iran cease their interventions in Syria, it will contribute to regional stability.' The European Union also issued a statement on Monday calling for de-escalation and protection of civilians from all parties and condemned Russian airstrikes in areas of Syria. Russian and Syrian army airstrikes continued on Monday, and according to the Syrian Civil Defense, known as the 'White Helmets,' at least 25 people were killed in Idlib, Aleppo, and Hama regions. On the other hand, Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, announced the possibility of holding a meeting about Syria in Doha. He, who traveled to Ankara, mentioned on Monday evening his meeting with Hakan Fidan, the Turkish Foreign Minister, saying: 'We decided to continue the Astana process.' The Astana process was an agreement reached in 2017 in Astana between representatives of Iran, Russia, and Turkey regarding the establishment of safe zones in Syria. According to Abbas Araghchi, the meeting of the foreign ministers of these three countries 'will likely take place next Saturday or Sunday' on the sidelines of the 'Doha Forum' in Qatar. The group known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has captured some points in northwestern Syria, including the important city of Aleppo, since last Wednesday in a surprise attack. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, from Wednesday to Monday, more than 500 people have been killed, including 92 civilians.