Arab tribes declare ‘general mobilization’ against SDF in northeastern Syria

Arab tribes in northeastern Syria have declared a “general mobilization” against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). This development comes at a time when the stalemate over the SDF’s integration into the new Syrian army continues.

While the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) administration in Damascus has been conducting negotiations and engaging in periodic clashes with the SDF, a series of Arab tribes have called for a general mobilization against the SDF in the last 24 hours. Suleiman Mashi, a representative of the al-Bubna Shabaniyah tribe, stated, “The enemies have not yet sheathed their swords. We have declared a general mobilization until an order to the contrary is given.”

The al-Bu Jabr tribe announced its readiness to “overcome differences and prioritize the homeland and its soil above all else,” calling for broad participation in the mobilization “for freedom, justice, and the protection of rights.” Similarly, the al-Bu Sha’ban, al-Bu Zaher, al-Walda, al-Huwaitat, al-Afadla, al-Amirat, al-Jabat, and Bani Asid al-Hashimi tribes also announced their general mobilization against the SDF. A statement from the Bani Asid al-Hashimi tribe declared “support for the Syrian government in confronting separatist and treacherous agents.”

This call for mobilization coincides with a new report released by the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) which predicted that tensions could arise between the US-backed SDF and Arab tribes. The report noted that the US military had withdrawn from three bases in Syria—Green Village, Conoco, and the Euphrates Mission Support Site—and that the infrastructure at these bases was either removed or transferred to the SDF. The Pentagon’s inspector general predicted in the report that the US military’s withdrawal from the region could increase tensions between the SDF and local Arab tribes.

Last year, Arab tribes launched an armed rebellion against the SDF, which they view as an extension of the US occupation, and were allegedly supported by the Bashar al-Assad government during this process.

Last month, some tribes close to the new government attacked the Druze province of Suwayda, with HTS armed forces siding with the tribes under the pretext of de-escalating tensions. In March, an uprising against HTS in the coastal cities with a large Alawite population turned into sectarian massacres.

In recent days, statements from the SDF have expressed unease over the violence related to the implementation of the integration agreement signed with HTS on March 10, with calls for decentralization beginning to rise. Tensions also exist between the parties over the SDF’s demand to remain under Kurdish command and integrate into the army as a single bloc. Following increased calls for decentralization at the joint conference of Syrian components held in Hasakah on August 8, HTS decided to withdraw from a planned meeting with the SDF in Paris, France.

Simultaneously, clashes between the SDF and the Syrian army in Aleppo have intensified, with both sides accusing each other of instigating the conflict. The SDF stated that armed groups loyal to Damascus were engaged in provocative actions in Kurdish-controlled areas, particularly in Deir Hafer, adding, “If they continue to target our forces, we will be forced to exercise our right to legitimate self-defense.”

The Syrian Ministry of Defense announced that two SDF-affiliated groups attempted to infiltrate army positions in Tel Maaz, east of Aleppo, resulting in the death of one soldier in the ensuing clash. The ministry also accused the SDF of targeting army deployment areas in Deir Hafer and Manbij, calling for “adherence to the signed agreements” and warning that “the continuation of these actions will lead to new consequences.”