In a string of towns situated in a crucial oil belt within Arab tribal territory, fierce battles have unfolded over the past few days, resulting in the tragic loss of life. Witnesses and local sources have reported that at least 40 fighters from both sides, as well as an additional 15 civilians, have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict.

The strife has drawn attention to Syria's eastern Deir az-Zour province, where the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), primarily led by Kurdish forces, have deployed reinforcements. Their mission: to quell a rising wave of unrest among rebellious Arab tribal clans. These groups took up arms in response to the detention of an Arab renegade commander.

The catalyst for this outbreak of violence was the arrest of Ahmad Al Khubail, also known as Abu Khawla, who held leadership positions within the SDF, particularly as the head of its Deir az-Zour Council. He was a prominent Arab commander within the SDF, an alliance of militias formed with US support, with its core being the Kurdish YPG militia.

In an official statement issued, the SDF explained that Abu Khawla had been arrested and relieved of his post due to his alleged involvement in multiple criminal activities, ranging from drug trafficking to failing to adequately address the Islamic State threat in the province.

Reports from residents indicate that the SDF has dispatched fresh reinforcements while shelling several towns and villages in the region. Meanwhile, armed Arab clans have resorted to burning tires, launching ambushes on vehicles, and shelling SDF positions.

Tribal fighters have taken control of several checkpoints and launched attacks on patrols in various towns, including Shuhail, near the al-Omar oil field—a location in proximity to US troop deployments.

The mounting unrest, stemming from Abu Khawla's arrest, has exposed deep-seated anger directed at the Kurdish-led militia, which holds sway over a predominantly Arab population in this oil-rich province. Arab residents, grappling with challenging living conditions, have voiced grievances that the Kurdish-led administration fails to provide them with their fair share of the oil wealth.

The Kurdish-led forces, recipients of Pentagon support and weaponry, have consistently denied allegations of discrimination against Arabs. They contend that their mission is to rectify historical injustices faced by Kurds, who were denied their cultural rights before the Syrian conflict erupted in 2011.

It's important to note that the YPG, a prominent component of the SDF, has been a crucial US partner in Syria, playing a pivotal role in expelling the Islamic State from Deir az-Zour and outpacing the Syrian army and its Russian allies in securing some of Syria's largest oil fields.