Syrian Tribal Forces Launch Coordinated Offensive on US-backed SDF

Syrian tribal militias have launched a major offensive against Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the Eastern border region of Syria, briefly overrunning security positions and sparking heightened security measures in neighboring Hasakah province amid fears of further escalation. The fighting marks the biggest clash between the SDF and the tribal force since the Arab uprising in 2023. US forces have reinforced their positions and are conducting airstrikes in coordination with their SDF allies as tensions in the Middle East continue to heighten..Initial Tribal Success and SDF Retreat.As of 12:00 p.m. local time on August 7th, tribal militias captured several towns near the Euphrates as the SDF pulled back. Major hot points were in the town of Baghouz—which borders Iraq and was the site of the last stand of the Islamic State (ISIS) in 2019—and between the localities of Diban and Theban in Deir Ezzor, with tribal militias capturing Diban in the early morning of the 7th and the SDF digging in around Theban. A curfew has been enacted in Theban, as well..The towns of Abu Hamam and Abu Hardub have also reportedly been captured by the Syrian tribal forces, according to local media..Several photos indicate tribal successes in Abu Hamam. Geolocation done by Atlas News confirms militants capturing a water treatment plant on the SDF side of the Euphrates River in Abu Hamam..As of 2:00 p.m. local time, several local sources reported the Syrian militias had entered both the cities of Busayrah and Gharanij, prompting major SDF reinforcements. US and coalition forces were reported en route to al-Omar oil field, also known as the Green Village, with video evidence showing US aircraft performing close air support for the Syrian Democratic Forces..Geolocation of the photo places the men in Busayrah, suggesting at least moderate success in the initial moves made by the tribal militias..Reports also indicate that an alleged headquarters of the Syrian Democratic Forces in Diban was captured by the militias. Geolocation also confirms this..SDF Counter-Offensive.While it is not clear how involved the Syrian Arab Army, led by the Assad government, is in the fight, SDF media attributes the tribal militias to its control. However, the tribal forces are known to have ties to Iran. In February, the Syrian Observer reported that Al-Hafel, who leads the Al-Aqidat tribe, has connections to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) in northeastern Syria. The SDF also denied several reports of Syrian success, stating that they've pushed the militants back or are contesting several areas, including Diban and Abu Hamam..While it is too early to conclude how SDF counter-offensives are going, heavy fighting is reported around the towns of Tayana and Diban. Many of the towns mentioned above will likely be contested for some time, especially with US support..US Forces on High Alert.The above caption translates roughly to: Pictures show the arrival of more US military reinforcements from the base of #Al-Shadadi south of #Hasaka to the base of the Al-Omar oil field in the northeastern irrigation of #Deir Ezzor in light of the progress of the tribal forces and the support of SDF militants in the face of the Arab tribal forces..US forces have been under increasing attack in the region due to the tensions between Iran and Israel, with several bases in Iraq and Syria hit with drone and mortar attacks in recent months, leading to several casualties..An Iran-backed Offensive.Since the Arab tribal uprising in 2023, many Syrian tribal militias have rallied behind Iranian proxies for material and ideological support. Though the alliance is not always perfect, with reports of infrequent clashes, they create a large bulwark for Syria and Iran against the Kurdish SDF and coalition forces..Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Hafel, the commander of the Arab tribal forces in Deir Ezzor, said in an audio recording attributed to him and circulated on social media that his clans would continue "the fight against the SDF militants until the liberation of the tribal areas from occupation forces.".The US remains in a difficult position, having vowed to retaliate against attacks on its troops in the region while simultaneously supporting the Kurdish forces and attempting to lower the temperature in the region.