Deir ez-Zor Governorate clashes

On 29 April 2018, clashes took place between Syrian government forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Deir ez-Zor Governorate.

Deir ez-Zor Governorate clashes (April 2018)
Part of the Deir ez-Zor Governorate campaign of the Syrian civil war
Date 29 April 2018 Location Eastern bank of the Euphrates, Deir ez-Zor Governorate, Syria Status SDF Victory
Belligerents
Syrian government	Syrian Democratic Forces CJTF–OIR[1][2]
Casualties and losses
9 killed[3]	6 killed,[3] 22 wounded[4]

Background

See also: Battle of Khasham and Deir ez-Zor campaign (2017–19)

Tensions between the Syrian Army and the Syrian Democratic Forces in the eastern bank of the Euphrates of Deir ez-Zor Governorate have always been high following the liberation of Deir ez-Zor city from ISIL and the SDF's capture of large parts of the area following its offensive against ISIL with CJTF–OIR support. On 16 September 2017, either Syrian or Russian aircraft bombed SDF positions on the eastern bank.^[5] On 25 September, Russian and Syrian forces shelled SDF forces in the nearby Conoco gas field.^[6][7][8] Between 7 February and 8 February 2018, clashes between the SDF and pro-Syrian government forces near Khasham resulted in US airstrikes on pro-government forces which killed dozens of pro-government militiamen, including contractors of the Russian private military company Wagner Group.^[9] Additional armed incidents took place in the following weeks.^[10][11]

Tensions between the two backers of the Syrian government and Syrian Democratic Forces, Russia and the United States respectively, had also risen before the clashes due to the alleged Douma chemical attack and the subsequent missile strikes against the Syrian government by the US, France and the United Kingdom.

A few days before the clashes, there were claims that the SDF were going to restart anti-ISIL operations in co-ordination with the US-led coalition near the Iraq–Syria border in Deir ez-Zor Governorate.^[12] The previous offensive against ISIL in the region was postponed due to the Turkish offensive against SDF forces in Afrin.^[13][14]

Clashes

On 29 April, the Syrian Army attacked and captured four SDF-held villages on the eastern side of the Euphrates river in Deir ez-Zor Governorate.^[15] According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), nine pro-government and six SDF-affiliated fighters were killed in the clashes.^[3] SDF spokesperson Kino Gabriel claimed that the clashes were "supporting terrorism and an attempt to obstruct the war against terrorism".^[16] Several hours later, the SDF claimed they recaptured all of the villages they lost,^[15][17] although the SOHR reported three of the four villages had been recaptured by the SDF.^[4] Some local sources claimed that US-led coalition jets hit pro-government forces attacking the SDF,^[1][2] although the Pentagon stated they only conducted warning airstrikes and did not hit the pro-government troops directly.^[18]

See also

• Battle of Qamishli (2016)
• Battle of al-Hasakah (2016)
• Battle of Khasham
• September 2016 Deir ez-Zor air raid

References

1. U.S.-backed forces say they regain villages seized by Syrian army
2. Syria: SDF reclaim territory hours after government capture
3. "Syria regime, US-backed forces in deadly clashes: Monitor". Archived from the original on 2 May 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
4. Syrian troops briefly take villages east of Euphrates river
5. Francis, Ellen (16 September 2017). "Jets strike U.S.-backed forces in eastern Syria". Reuters.
6. "U.S.-backed militias says Russian jets struck its fighters in east Syria". Reuters. 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
7. Illingworth, Andrew (25 September 2017). "BREAKING: Russian warplanes bomb Kurdish forces in east Deir Ezzor: reports". al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
8. Illingworth, Andrew (25 September 2017). "Syrian Army, Russian artillery shells Kurdish forces in east Deir Ezzor: reports [Update]". al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
9. O'Connor, Tom (12 February 2018). "The U.S.-led coalition killed Russians in airstrikes against pro-Syrian government forces, reports say". Newsweek. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
10. Kube, Courtney (13 February 2018). "U.S. airstrike destroys Russian-made tank used by pro-Syria forces". NBC News. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
11. Stewart, Phil (13 February 2018). "U.S. drone destroys Russian-made tank in Syria". Reuters. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
12. "SDF return to Deir ez-Zor front with ISIS: coalition". Rudaw. 24 April 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
13. "Battle against Isil 'paused in Syria' as Kurdish fighters battle Turkey". Telegraph. 6 March 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
14. US-backed Syria force to redeploy 1,700 from IS fight to Afrin
15. "U.S.-backed forces say they regain villages seized by Syrian army". Reuters. 29 April 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
16. "You are being redirected..." www.nrttv.com. Archived from the original on 29 April 2018.
17. "SDF Regain Control of Villages Near Euphrates Captured by Syrian Army". Murasolen. 29 April 2018. Archived from the original on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
18. Illingworth, Andrew (30 April 2018). "Update: US warplanes purposely avoided striking Syrian Army during Deir Ezzor attack, only fired warning shots – Pentagon". Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2018.