Syrian stakeholders woo tribes to influence country's future

After the defeat of IS in Raqqa, the still-warring Syrian regime and opposition forces as well as outside interested parties are trying to win over Syrian tribes to their sides to guarantee their roles in determining Syria's direction.
Fighters of Syrian Democratic Forces walk past the ruins of destroyed buildings near the National Hospital after Raqqa was liberated from the Islamic State militants, in Raqqa, Syria October 17, 2017. Picture taken October 17, 2017. REUTERS/Erik De Castro - RC1EB783A730
Syrian Democratic Forces fighters walk past the ruins of destroyed buildings near the National Hospital after Raqqa was liberated from Islamic State militants, Raqqa, Syria, Oct. 17, 2017. - REUTERS/Erik De Castro
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Mohammad Bassiki
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In the aftermath of the Islamic State (IS) siege on Syria and as the civil war continues to linger, attention is now turning to the tribal forces that could wield significant influence over the country's future.

IS considered Raqqa to be its headquarters in Syria until it was driven out in October by US-backed militias, including the predominantly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). In December, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the defeat of IS on both banks of the Euphrates River in Syria.

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