Tribes in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor back Assad in upcoming elections
Tribal sheikhs in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor, some of whom are said to have been previously associated with the Islamic State in the province, attended a caucus in support of President Bashar al-Assad for the upcoming presidential elections.
![A Syrian boy walks under portraits of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad adorning a hospital in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor on Sept. 20, 2017.](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/2021-03/GettyImages-850235194.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=LGHZ0ZPu)
ALEPPO, Syria — The Syrian government sponsored a caucus March 22 for Arab clans and tribes in Deir ez-Zor province in eastern Syria in a move that appeared to rally support for President Bashar al-Assad in the upcoming presidential elections.
The final statement of the one-day forum said that the clans adhere to the unity, land and people of Syria and that they “stand by the Syrian army under Assad’s command.” The forum sent a message to Assad pledging that “the sons of Deir ez-Zor will always remain faithful soldiers behind his wise and courageous leadership, as they believe it is the only thing capable of bringing Syria to safety.”