Click to see full-size image. Source: sdf-press.com
The United States-led coalition has deployed more of its proxies near the main front with the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies in the northeastern governorate of Deir Ezzor, Sputnik reported on July 15.
Citing local sources, the Russian news agency said that the coalition deployed several units from the special forces of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the affiliated al-Sanadid Forces at its base in the Conoco gas factory in the eastern Deir Ezzor countryside.
Conoco base is located right next to a cluster of seven towns on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, Hatla, Al-Jeneina, Murat, Mazloum, al-Hussainia, al-Tabia, and Khasham, which are held by the SAA and its allies.
The military buildup by the U.S.-led coalition and its proxies in Deir Ezzor began earlier this month. Several reports talked about a plan by the coalition to launch an attack on the seven government-held towns on the eastern Euphrates bank.
There were also reports of a similar military build up at the coalition’s garrison in the southeastern area of al-Tanf, with some sources talking about a plot to launch an attack from there in the direction of Deir Ezzor to end the presence of the SAA and its allies on the border with Iraq.
Sputnik’s sources said that the coalition may be indeed planning to launch such an attack using Arab factions affiliated with the SDF, including al-Sanadid Forces, the Bakara Tribe Military Council, the Hajin Military Council, the Deir Ezzor Military Council and even Raqqa Revolutionaries’ Brigade.
The U.S.-led coalition held a meeting with Arab tribal leaders in Deir Ezzor at its base in al-Omar oil fields in the southeastern countryside of the governorate on July 14, Sputnik reported, citing its sources.
The sources alleged that tribal leaders voiced their objection to the proposed plan during the meeting as it would shed the blood of Arabs on both sides of the front.
In a previous report by Sputnik, local sources denied any plans to launch an attack against the SAA and its allies and said that the military buildup in Deir Ezzor was meant to address the deteriorating security situation in areas held by the coalition and the SDF. This may be true.
The SAA and its allies, including the Russian military, appear to be taking the threat of a U.S.-backed attack in Deir Ezzor very seriously. Large reinforcements were deployed on the eastern Euphrates Bank and other parts of the governorate in recent weeks. Pro-government tribes also amassed their fighters.
Any attack by the coalition and its proxies in Deir Ezzor or any other direction will definitely lead to a dangerous military confrontation, one that could see a direct clash between U.S. and Russian forces.
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