Factual background to the commander’s dismissal and the conflict in Deir ez-Zor

The Rojava Information Center (RIC) has shed light on the latest developments in Deir ez-Zor by releasing a comprehensive explainer on the Syrian Democratic Forces’ (SDF) dismissal of Deir ez-Zor Military Council (DMC) Commander Ahmed al-Khabil and the ongoing heavy conflicts in the region. Amidst various media speculations about the events – such as the fabricated ‘internal conflict’ news in the Turkish press – the RIC report, which includes interviews with representatives from the region, clarifies the context of recent developments.

Dismissal of Ahmed al-Khabil 

On 27 August, the SDF launched a ‘Security Reinforcement Operation’ targeting ISIS sleeper cells and drug traffickers in the Deir ez-Zor region. In one of its latest statements, the SDF announced that DMC commander Wahoud Ahmed al-Khabil, popularly known as Abu Khawla, had been arrested and that he and four of his associates had been relieved of all their duties. The SDF said al-Khabil had committed many crimes and stressed that the dismissed commander’s role in the fight against ISIS had been negative.

Who is Abu Khawla?

The report, published on the RIC website, contains extensive information about Abu Khawla’s history. Abu Khawla is described as a controversial figure in Deir ez-Zor, where there have been long-running conflicts between the SDF leadership and a sub-group of the DMC led by Abu Khawla.

Abu Khwala, who was part of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in the early days of the Syrian civil war, later briefly joined ISIS but soon fled to Turkey. Upon his return, he joined the SDF and was appointed to lead the DMC, which was established in 2016. The RIC explains the reason for the appointment: “Military Councils were established in all Arab-majority cities after their liberation from ISIS, with the highest ranks filled by officers from each city with experience of fighting with the SDF. Abu Khawla is from the Al-Bakir tribe, part of the Aqidat confederacy. His tribe ended up supporting ISIS when they came to Deir ez-Zor.”

Corrupt and brutal

Stating that Abu Khawla was an influential figure, the RIC notes that during his years as leader of the DMC, he formed a militia composed of insider relatives and friends. According to the statement, he is seen by many in Deir ez-Zor as a corrupt and brutal ruler, with accusations such as rape, looting and violence against civilians by his forces.

There have been numerous protests in the region calling for Abu Khawla’s dismissal and replacement as DMC leader. In its report, the RIC cites last year’s huge protests as an example. In December 2022, after Abu Khawla’s brother and bodyguard tortured and killed two women, there were massive protests against Abu Khawla in 15 towns, mostly populated by Baggara tribesmen.

Escalation of tensions

The RIC notes that the main source of tension between Abu Khawla and the SDF leadership is the SDF’s frustration at Abu Khawla’s efforts to exploit the DMC and his leadership position for his own benefit. As news of the DMC leader’s arrest spread, Abu Khawla’s groups responded by calling on tribal members to arrest SDF leaders and attack the SDF headquarters in Deir ez-Zor. Led by Adham al-Khubayl, many members of the al-Bakir tribe began attacking the SDF, and clashes intensified over the next four days.

The RIC states that Abu Khawla’s main support base is the Al-Bakir tribe, but that violent demonstrations are also taking place in areas of other tribes. There were even warnings from notables of Al-Bakir that all SDF forces would be targeted by clan fighters if Abu Khawla was not released. The center describes anti-SDF statements by some tribal groups and attacks on SDF checkpoints as “taking advantage of the moment of instability”. It adds: “Meanwhile, actors within the Syrian National Army (SNA) and affiliated political structures in Turkish-occupied northern Syria, as well as Idlib, have also sought to take profit of the situation, stoking the notion of ‘anti-Kurdish’ uprisings in order to politicize the situation more and use it against the SDF.”

Civilian casualties in the region

The SDF are currently trying to secure the area by reinforcing checkpoints and taking control of major roads in response to attacks. The RIC says the situation is still evolving and violent clashes are continuing, confirming that the number of dead and wounded has increased and that civilians are among the casualties. Meanwhile, the sheikhs and notables of the Baggara tribe, who have not been formally involved in the conflict, held a meeting to discuss the events. The RIC states that among the four main tribes in Deir ez-Zor, with the exception of Al-Bakir, there are many individuals who are strongly opposed to Abu Khawla, but that the situation has gone beyond his arrest.

Deir ez-Zor

Deir ez-Zor, the last region liberated from ISIS, is divided into two parts: the Euphrates River forms the border between Syrian regime-controlled land to the west, including the city of Deir ez-Zor, and AANES-controlled land in the east, which extends to the Iraqi border. Following the liberation of Deir ez-Zor by the SDF, AANES was faced with a region devastated by the conflict and a society that had been affected by years of ISIS rule. Intense efforts were made to establish civilian councils to manage the affairs of the city and the region. In addition, citizens in the region were becoming increasingly concerned about the growing economic difficulties.

Speaking to RIC about living conditions in the region, Fawaz al-Atash, who works in the Water Authority of the Civil Council, said that people’s demands regarding the economic situation are normal and that Deir ez-Zor has also been heavily affected by the sanctions imposed on Syria. Pointing to the shortage of water in the Euphrates, he added that the Deir ez-Zor region is an agricultural area, but that agriculture in the region has also been affected since Turkey has cut off the flow of water for more than two years.

ISIS remains a threat

The RIC underlines that although ISIS has been defeated in the region, it remains a threat in Deir ez-Zor as active sleeper cells seek to destabilize the region by targeting SDF checkpoints, Arab sheikhs and anyone associated with AANES. In addition, the easternmost region of Deir ez-Zor held by the SDF, which is ISIS’s main gateway into Iraq, faces a highly unstable security situation.

Having also interviewed a group of sheikhs and notables, the RIC concludes its report with the words of Ghadfan al-Habash, from the Albu Muslim Abdi clan. Al-Habash states: “If there is no political solution for Syria, there will be no real improvements.”