Arab Tribal and Clan Forces

The Arab Tribal Forces were established by Ibrahim al-Hifl in September 2023 with the aim of fighting the Syrian Democratic Forces in Deir ez-Zor province. They were supported by Ba'athist Syria.^[3]

On 8 August 2024, tribal forces launched attacks from areas controlled by Ba'athist Syria,^[5] which resulted in Arab fighters capturing 10 members of the Syrian Democratic Forces. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 20 vehicles with members of the Baqir Brigade arrived at the Baqir Brigade headquarters in the Deir ez-Zor neighborhood of Dahiya.^[6]

Following the fall of the Assad regime, Arab tribal forces and clans lost one of their financiers. According to a source in Deir ez-Zor, they allied with the Syrian transitional government against Syrian Democratic Forces along with some Arab defectors.^[4][7]

On 20 January 2025, tribal forces launched an attack on SDF checkpoints, injuring three SDF fighters.^[4]

On 14 August 2025, clashes erupted between the SDF and Arab Tribal and Clan Forces insurgents; a member of the Forces was killed, three others injured and six SDF members were captured.^[8]