-
Tensions Escalate Between Al-Hassoun and Al-Mushahada Tribes in Al-Bukamal
The state of tension between the Al-Hassoun tribe and the Al-Mushahada tribe, whose members include several soldiers from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's 47th Brigade in Al-Bukamal near the Syrian-Iraqi border in eastern Deir ez-Zor, is expected to continue. This tension arises from an incident where elements of the brigade attacked a tribal leader from the Al-Hassoun tribe, pursued him to his home, fired at his house, and set his car on fire after he refused to stop for a military check.
Activists from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that several members of the Al-Hassoun tribe set up a checkpoint and deployed extensively in the town of Al-Ghabra, the road leading to Al-Bukamal. They blocked the Tehran-Beirut highway and threatened to target any vehicle belonging to the 47th Brigade, amid the ongoing escalation and heightened tensions between the two sides following the attack on one of the Al-Hassoun chiefs.
It is noted that the affected tribal leader is a former member of the People's Council, known for his influence within the regime and his lack of ties to Iranian militias. In contrast, the Al-Mushahada tribe is known for its loyalty to the militias, with many of its members serving within those ranks.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported a heated confrontation between members of the Al-Hassoun and Al-Mushahada tribes in one of the markets in Al-Bukamal, within the areas controlled by regime forces and Iranian militias in eastern Deir ez-Zor. This confrontation escalated into an exchange of gunfire between the two groups.
The conflict originated from an incident that occurred at a checkpoint belonging to the 47th Brigade of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, where a chief from the Al-Hassoun tribe was insulted while passing through the checkpoint after he refused to undergo a search by the elements. He was assaulted by one of the guards and then fled to his home, leading to an escalation of tensions between the parties. The elements then pursued the chief to his home, directly fired upon the house, and set his vehicle on fire, prompting several of the chief’s relatives to attack the homes of the Al-Mushahada tribe members, burning one of them.
The clashes resulted in the injury of three members of the Al-Mushahada tribe, including a teacher who was struck by a stray bullet, followed by a large deployment of the 47th Brigade's elements from the Al-Mushahada tribe.
