The southeastern Deir Ezzor countryside witnessed a new wave of protests against the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on April 24 and 25.
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According to local sources, hundreds of Arabs took at the streets in the towns of Muhaymadiah, al-Hosan, Sufirah Tahtani, Sufira Fuqani, al-Wasi’a, al-Muylih, al-Hosin, Gharibyah and al-Daman. The protestors called on the SDF to end its “occupation” of their areas and chanted against the economic and security measures of the Kurdish-dominated group.
“No for the stealing of oil and underground resources,” one of the signs raised by the protestors reads.
In the course of the protests, the civilians clashed with the SDF’s security forces. The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that at least three protestors were killed by security forces fire in al-Daman.
The protests received wide coverage from the Turkish media. Furthermore, in some protests the civilians were heard chanting against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is recognized by Ankara as a terrorist group. The party is not known to be operating in Deir Ezzor.
Local observers believe that Turkey may be trying to take advantage of the protests in order to achieve some of its goals in northeastern Syria. Earlier this year, Ankara-linked groups organized several protests against the SDF along the border line with Syria.
