Clashes erupted between the Syrian army and fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) along the contact lines on both banks of the Euphrates River on Saturday evening, 25 October, and continued into the early hours of Sunday.
Enab Baladi’s correspondent in Deir Ezzor reported that light and medium weapons were used in exchanges of fire between Syrian army positions in the town of Mahkan (eastern Deir Ezzor countryside, west bank of the Euphrates) and SDF fighters at the al-Latwa point in Diban (eastern Deir Ezzor countryside, east bank).
At the same time, additional clashes flared after SDF fighters in Abu Hamam (eastern Deir Ezzor countryside, east bank) targeted Syrian army positions in the al-Kashma area (eastern Deir Ezzor countryside, east bank).
According to the correspondent, the incident began with an infiltration attempt by SDF elements, specifically from the People’s Protection Units (YPG), toward Syrian army points from the direction of the towns of Diban, al-Kishkiyah (eastern Deir Ezzor countryside, east bank), and al-Sha’fa (eastern Deir Ezzor countryside, east bank).
Following the clashes, an SDF reconnaissance drone was observed over the area, while Syrian army reinforcements moved toward Mahkan, the correspondent added.
A military source at the Ministry of Defense told Enab Baladi that SDF units withdrew after the clashes, clarifying that the incident was limited to an infiltration attempt from the al-Latwa point, while other SDF positions opened fire to provide cover.
For its part, the SDF said in a statement that unidentified armed elements operating from sites on the western bank of the Euphrates fired an RPG round on Saturday evening at one of its positions in Abu Hamam. The attack caused no casualties.
The SDF confirmed it “responded appropriately,” precisely targeting the source of fire.
According to Enab Baladi’s correspondent in Deir Ezzor, the situation later calmed after the Syrian army responded to the infiltration attempts.
These clashes come as the Syrian government negotiates with the SDF over integration into the army and the activation of state institutions in SDF-held areas of northeastern Syria.
Previous clashes in Deir Ezzor
The SDF announced it had come under armed attack in the eastern Deir Ezzor countryside, while Enab Baladi’s correspondent said the SDF targeted a river ferry, which led to clashes with Syrian army elements.
The SDF stated that its forces deployed on the Euphrates bank near the al-Asharah Bridge in Darnaj (eastern Deir Ezzor countryside, east bank) were attacked on the morning of 14 September.
In a statement on Facebook, it said the assault was launched by “armed” groups affiliated with the Damascus government as they were securing the river crossing for groups of “smugglers.”
At the time, Enab Baladi’s correspondent reported that SDF fighters targeted one of the river ferries with light and medium weapons, killing one civilian.
Residents of the area and local tribes, together with Syrian Ministry of Defense elements, then mobilized, and clashes broke out between the two sides.
Syrian army personnel and some tribesmen captured a number of SDF fighters.
On 25 August, Deir Ezzor province witnessed several attacks targeting Syrian army positions and an Interior Ministry security checkpoint, injuring civilians.
According to the correspondent, the SDF targeted a Syrian army point in the town of al-Asharah (eastern Deir Ezzor countryside, west bank).
On 26 August, an SDF one-way attack drone struck the “al-Salam” checkpoint at the western entrance to Deir Ezzor city, wounding two civilians who were near the blast site, the correspondent said
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