Raqqa tribes reject reconciliation with Syrian regime; Activists in Dayro Zcuro (Deir ez-Zor) say demographic change is goal of reconciliation agreements

RAQQA and DAYRO ZURO, Syria — Media outlets close to the Syrian regime published news about the initiation of negotiated settlements for the people of Al-Sabkha city, 30 km southeast of Raqqa. These proposed settlements are the regimes’ approach to a reconciliation process between Damascus and the people of Raqqa Governorate. 

In response, the sheikhs and other clan notables in Raqqa issued a statement in which they categorically rejected the regime’s calls for people of the region to go to settlement centers. The tribal leaders consider the proposed initiative by Damascus a threat to the stability of the city and the surrounding countryside.

Sheikh of the Albu Manea clan Muhammad al-Jassim stated that the purpose of the statement was to clearly show the position of the clan in relation to the Syrian Regime. 

“The regime has not presented any vision for a solution in the past years and has always targeted the areas of North and East Syria through its sleeper cells and people associated with its agenda,” Al-Jassim declared, indicating that the Arab clans will disavow anyone who makes a settlement with the Syrian regime. He suggested that the Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA) of North and East Syria should take the same position.

In related news, Sons of Al-Bukamal Gathering, which is a political group in neighboring Dayro Zcuro (Deir ez-Zor), organized a dialogue seminar to discuss the latest political developments in the country.

During the dialogue seminar entitled “Blood Reconciliation and the Assad Trap”, activists of the ‘Gathering’ stated that the goal of the settlements in Dayro Zcuro is to change the demographic in the region.

The spokesman for the Sons of Al-Bukamal Gathering, Inad al-Jallou, said that Russia is attempting, through reconciliation settlements, to show that the conflict in Syria is about to end and that the refugees can return to their homes. “Such allegations are unrealistic and premature,” Al-Jallou added.

Over the past few years, the Syrian regime has increased its efforts to sow division in the Arab majority areas of Raqqa and Dayro Zcuro. Since their liberation from the Islamic State (ISIS), they have been under the administration of the multi-ethnic DAA.