The Sons of Jazira and Euphrates Movement:
The movement is drawn from the Ougaidat tribal confederation, the largest in Deir al-Zour province and the strongest in east Syria. According to a 2018 study on local sentiments in this area, "Members of the Ougaidat tribe hold a hostile attitude toward the United States dating to the 2003 invasion of Iraq and overthrow of Saddam Hussein. This negative perception was reinforced by reports from hundreds of Iraqi Sunni officers, as well as Baath and other government officials, who were displaced to Ougaidat area during the war."
The movement emerged after pro-Assad forces and the SDF converged on Deir al-Zour in 2017. Incorporating former Islamic State elements and other operatives, the movement emerged as a reaction to Kurdish-led SDF administration of Deir al-Zour areas east of the Euphrates River.
The movement began military operations against SDF positions in 2018. These skirmishes were initially localized but rapidly escalated in intensity and scope during 2019, including ambushes, hit-and-run strikes, and attacks on military convoys and installations. More organized and frequent attacks on SDF targets were seen from late 2019 to 2020, particularly in Deir al-Zour. This period also saw heightened tensions due to perceived marginalization of Arab tribes and local dissatisfaction with the SDF’s administrative and military policies.
Objectives:
The movement's objective is to reestablish tribal Arab governance, supported by the Syrian regime, across east Syria, with a specific focus on Deir al-Zour province. It pursues this goal through military action against the SDF, the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), and other predominantly Kurdish groups.
Type of Operations:
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