Army of Tribes and Clans
جيش القبائل والعشائر
Flag of the Army of Tribes and Clans
Leadership	Ibrahim Al-Hafl
Dates of operation	23 September 2023
Headquarters	Deir ez-Zor
Ideology	Arab nationalism
Allies	Anti-SDF DMC factions
Opponents	Syrian Democratic Forces
Battles and wars	Syrian Civil War

The Army of Tribes and Clans (ATC; Arabic: جيش القبائل والعشائر, romanized: Jaysh al-qabail wal-ashair) is a military force in Deir ez-Zor, Syria led by the tribal sheikhs, notably Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Hafl, representing the Al-Akidat tribe. This armed entity has recently garnered attention due to its formation and its declared mission to counter the influence of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), particularly in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor.^[1][2]

Formation and leadership

In a recent audio statement, Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Hafl announced the establishment of a military leadership for the "Army of Tribes and Clans in the Countryside of Deir ez-Zor." This move was accompanied by calls from opposition groups urging Qatar to form a political and civilian body to represent the tribes in the region.

Sheikh Al-Hafl emphasized the new military leadership's commitment to challenging the SDF and its affiliated militias, accusing them of collaborating with external forces and undermining Arab traditions in the Euphrates Valley region.

Objectives and operations

The statement by Sheikh Al-Hafl outlined the primary objective of the Army of Tribes and Clans: to counter SDF forces and affiliated mercenaries in the Deir ez-Zor region. It warned SDF fighters, particularly those of Arab tribal descent, that they were now targets for the tribal forces.

Notably, the announcement signaled a shift from direct attacks on towns and villages to sporadic assaults, indicating a strategy to pressure and exhaust SDF forces. The tribal forces aim to force the international coalition, particularly the United States, to withdraw from the entire Deir ez-Zor region.

International relations and funding

The Army of Tribes and Clans appears to be independent of complete allegiance to any external entity, as Sheikh Al-Hafl did not seek funding from the international coalition. This approach underscores the force's determination to operate as an independent power within the region, resisting affiliation with the Syrian government, opposition groups, or external forces.

Political advocacy

The formation of the Army of Tribes and Clans coincides with calls from opposition figures for Qatar to establish a political and civilian body to represent the tribes in the Deir ez-Zor countryside. The potential involvement of former Syrian Prime Minister Riad Hijab, who hails from the region and is accepted both regionally and internationally, has been suggested.

Ongoing developments

As of the latest information, the SDF has not announced a new leadership structure for the Deir ez-Zor Military Council. The tribal forces' attacks continue, indicating their refusal to accept the current administrative and military situation in the region, which they perceive as incompatible with the interests and traditions of the local tribes.

The Army of Tribes and Clans is actively seeking both military and political means to address what they view as grievances against the SDF and its management of the Deir ez-Zor region.

References