Deir ez-Zor Arab fighters 'punished for refusal to join SDF'
A lack of support for local Arab armed groups in the fight to retake the Arab province of Deir ez-Zor and alleged subsequent abuses by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces may prove a threat to stability in this key geographical area.
GARANIJ, Syria — The Syrian Elite Forces (SEF) were meant to be a multi-tribe, moderate Arab armed group that would be instrumental in taking back their home province of Deir ez-Zor from the Islamic State (IS). It did not, however, end up that way.
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) led the fight against IS east of the Euphrates River with strong support from the anti-IS coalition. They are now administering the entire area.
The SEF, which US-led Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman Col. John Dorrian called a "notable" force in December 2016, did not receive international support.
Though many Arab fighters in Deir ez-Zor and al-Shaddadi in southern Hasakah province, say that they still belong to the SEF, the group has not actually fought since the 2017 battle for Raqqa, in which they participated for about a month. A dispute with the SDF and their refusal to fight under — instead of alongside — the Kurdish-led group led to their withdrawal.
