Clashes Erupt in Deir ez-Zour Between Syrian Democratic Forces and Government Troops Despite March Integration Deal

Clashes have escalated between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian government troops in eastern Syria, particularly in the Deir ez-Zour region. Despite a March integration agreement between the two sides, fighting broke out in Deir ez-Zour and eastern Aleppo, with reports of Syrian armored units moving eastward. Tribal gunmen in Deir ez-Zour reportedly took four to six SDF fighters hostage. Several tribes, including Al Tay, Al Ugeidat, Al Bakkara, An Naim, Albu Shaban, Al-Bu Jabr, Albu Dhaher, Al-Walda, Al-Huwaiwat, Al-Afadleh, Al-Amirat, and Al-Jaabat, as well as the Bani Asid Hashemite clan, have mobilized against the SDF. The SDF, composed of Kurds and former Syrian Arab Army members, launched operations targeting ISIS cells and tribal groups supporting Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). They have besieged the Arab-populated towns of Granij and Kashqiya east of Deir ez-Zour. Additionally, clashes were reported between Syrian Internal Security Forces and Israeli-backed Al-Hijri militias on the Qarasa and Dama axes in the western part of Deir ez-Zour governorate.