The 2025 Diban clashes (Arabic: صدامات ديبان 2025) were a day of clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) and local Arab tribal gunmen affiliated with Ibrahim al Hafl, the leader of the "Tribal movement".
Clashes
On 20 January 2025, unidentified local gunmen crossed the Euphrates River and launched an attack on SDF checkpoints and headquarters in the towns of Diban and Abu Hamam using rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). This assault resulted in injuries to three SDF fighters, who were later transported to Omar Military Hospital for medical treatment. The attackers subsequently declared their allegiance to the tribal faction led by Sheikh Ibrahim al Hafl, who is supported by Iran and has advocated for an Arab uprising against the SDF and DAANES. In retaliation, the SDF confronted the tribal fighters and dispatched additional reinforcements from Al-Hasakah to Deir ez-Zor. By the end of the following day, the SDF had successfully regained all positions that had been lost. The subsequent week saw the SDF and Asayish initiate a security operation that led to multiple arrests.
See also
- Syrian Democratic Forces
- Deir ez-Zor offensive (2024)
- Deir ez-Zor Governorate campaign
References
