The regime of President Bashar al-Assad is preparing to storm villages under the control of Kurdish-led forces in the eastern suburbs of Deir-ez-Zor.
Activists said Assad forces and Shiite militias have gathered near the villages of Bakkara Akidat, Dahla and Sabah in the eastern suburbs of Deir-ez-Zor (east of the Euphrates) near the Conoco gas field, which is controlled by Kurdish forces.
The sources added that the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces informed the U.S.-led coalition forces of these developments. The coalition urged SDF fighters not to resist the regime forces and surrender the area.
The activists added that the SDF has already withdrawn heavy weapons from their areas held by Arab and Turkmen factions.
This comes in conjunction with the ongoing battles between the SDF on the one hand and the Turkish-backed Euphrates Shield forces on the other after Ankara launched the Operation Olive Branch campaign aimed at controlling the northern city of Afrin.
This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
