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Tribal Fighting Leaves 13 Dead and Injured in the "Self-Management" Areas
In the semi-autonomous regions of northeastern Syria, during the first half of this month, there has been a troubling rise in intentional killings and armed family disputes, resulting in numerous civilian casualties including women and children. The escalation occurs amidst worsening social conditions and the indiscriminate spread of weapons, which have intensified family and tribal conflicts that rapidly turn into bloody incidents, causing loss of lives and creating an atmosphere of fear and panic in the affected areas. This is happening amid an evident lack of effective legal measures to curb violence.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented five murder incidents, resulting in six deaths and injuries, distributed as follows:
- Three incidents in Deir Ez-Zor, leading to three deaths.
- Two incidents in Hasakah, resulting in the death of a girl and injuries to another, along with other wounds.
Below are the details of the most prominent events:
1. On October 3, a young man in his twenties was killed in the village of Al-Tuykhi near Deir ez-Zor’s eastern countryside, following a family dispute that escalated into gunfire from his uncle’s rifle during an attempt to quell the conflict, which led to his death from his injuries.
2. On October 8, a young man died, and his brother was wounded after they were stabbed with sharp tools near the town of Towaineh northwest of Hasakah. They are from Tel Dhiab village, displaced from Ras Al-Ain, and currently residing in Majarji. The motives of the attack are believed to be revenge or theft, and the identity of the perpetrators is still unknown amid heightened tension and security alertness.
3. On October 9, a young man from Diwan town was shot and killed by unidentified armed individuals near Tuki’heh School. It is suspected that the motive was revenge.
4. On the same day, the body of a 13-year-old girl of Turkestani origin was found hanging in the migration section of Al-Hol camp in Hasakah countryside, showing signs of torture. The reasons and perpetrators are unknown, and security authorities have begun investigations.
5. On October 10, a young man was shot dead by unidentified armed men in the Qahawi area of Abu Hamam town while working with a generator, with the assailants fleeing to an unknown direction.
Regarding armed conflicts, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented three clashes in Deir ez-Zor during the first half of the month, resulting in seven injuries, including a child:
- October 2: Three civilians were injured in different wounds during an armed clash between relatives in the town of Jdeid Bakkara.
- October 3: A child was injured during clashes between two families in the town of Ghranij, which escalated to the burning of homes and intense fear among residents.
- October 13: Violent clashes broke out between members of the Ghajaar tribe in Diwan town, leading to three civilians being wounded, including a child and a woman, all with varying injuries.
These events continue to confirm the deterioration of security conditions and the failure of resolution mechanisms to control violence. Local residents continue to appeal to the relevant authorities in the self-administration to take urgent action to stop the bloodshed, protect civilians—especially children—and reduce the escalation of armed operations and ongoing violations.
Source: The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights
