In the beginning of the events in Syria, nomads, which form a large part of the population, pursued an impartial policy. But with the increase in the crime of the terrorists, they joined the ranks of the Syrian army fighters.
Whatever is happening on the fronts of eastern Syria reflects the unprecedented arrival of nomadic forces in the fighting against the ISIL militant and joining Syrian army. What illustrates this development is the participation of thousands of tribal youths in the battles that take place in the whole of Badia, the broader east of Syria. A pivotal issue that could make it possible to fight against the ISIL and destroy it sooner.
According to Ayhem Mari'i (one of the Syrian field experts) written in the newspaper Al-Akhbar of Lebanon, although many criticize the Syrian tribes because of their delay in providing clear and clear support to the army, some other experts have provided several reasons that could interpret this "nomadic conscience awakening." The theory suggests that the presence of tribal areas in the areas under the control of armed groups has played a significant role in delaying the announcement, but now, with this announcement of public support, the "tribal card" has come to the benefit of the Syrian government on the table and has been lost for Some Gulf states who were eager to push the tribes into opposition to Damascus.
In the beginning of the events in Syria, the tribes (which make up a large part of the population of the country) have remained neutral or have taken a "stand in silence". Of course, some tribal youths entered military operations against the Syrian army, especially in the early years of the conflict. The reason for this also came back to the connection between the tribal and relative origins of many Syrian tribes to some of the Gulf states, especially Qatar and Saudi Arabia. This was due to the fact that many tribal youths entered the two organizations of al-Nusra and ISIS.
While many of the nomadic leaders who entered anti-army activities were considered as non-famous and non-central figures, they held many prominent nomadic "silent confirmation" figures, or even their open endorsement of the military, and did not show up hostile attitude towards The army , although they did not carry out military operations [in the direction of military approval]. The support role of this tribal group at the beginning of the Syrian events was limited to the establishment of meetings known as "National Tents."
Moreover, the volume of massive attacks by the media against the army and attempting to highlight the plight of the tribal and secular backgrounds was another reason for tribal delay in joining the army.
Perhaps the Battle of Hassaka (in 2014 and 2015) against ISIL was the first place where the role of the tribal children of the tribes emerged. Although a large number of tribal youths were part of the army, they still remained in the army, but the first emergence and prominence of the nomadic combat forces in Qamishili and Hassaka during the formation of [the two militia groups supporting the regime], al-Dawab al-Watani [Basij National] and al-Mughawir [Special Forces]. The number of people joining these two groups quickly reached more than 5,000 troops and played an important role in blocking ISIL's attacks on the Hassak and Qamishili border regions. This role represented the nomadic will to stand with the army.
The massacres that ISIL committed against the Reef of Deir ul zor population forced hundreds of Shi'ite and Busurians to escape from the ISIL-captured area to the army-led areas and join the army's ranks in Deir ul zor and Tadmur. These individuals continued to play an important role in supporting the army on these two fronts.
In the same vein, a source from al-Defa'ael-Watani's in Deir-Ul-Zur in a conversation with al-Akhbar states that "most tribesmen [never] adopted hostile anti-military positions. Perhaps the prolongation of the fighting time and the brutality of the numerous armed groups that were found in the province in the tribes, led tribal forces to support the army in their fight against terrorism. "
By and large, many tribesmen escaped from the ISIL-controlled areas (especially in Raqqa). The departure of these people from those areas was the ground for entering militant forces supporting the army or entering the ranks of the "Syrian Democratic Forces" (which make up about half of its nomads).
These days, the name of "Ashayer razm" [Nomadic Warriors] as one of the main forces supporting the army in its battle in Badia is much heard; the battles that began with the [returning battle] of Tadmurs, and today from Raqqa to Deir-Ul-Zur It goes on.
Field resources in a conversation with Al-Akhbar say that "the number of nomad warriors has increased dramatically since the battles entered ISIL bases in Badia and Deir-Salur, and now they have reached thousands," sources said. "What's happening today, It is a clear response to the ISIL crimes and represents the true position of the tribes, which is nothing but a rejection of ISIL's actions and support for the military, "added the sources." Nowadays, nomadic fighters play a decisive role in the fight against ISIL, because they are from the same area They are aware of the geographic details and this is a contributing factor Is in the rapid advance of the army. "
Turki Abul Ahmad :
Deputy Secretary-General "Socialist Movement of Arabs" and commander of "Muqatil tribes' [warriors of tribes] Turki Abul Ahmad in an interview with Al-Akhbar said:" Nomads had a great national role, and have gifted plenty of martyrs who fought for the army and supported national government. "Abu Ahmad said:" Isis had imposed it's dominance on the residents by force and mass murder and prevented the resident s from fleeing to army controlled areas because they knew that the majority of people are supportive of and receptive to the army. " According to him, the increase in the number of people joining forces with the nomads is "natural thing". "The fact reflects the position of the tribesmen who feel secure when the army approaches their areas." Abu Ahmad predicts that" The army progresses speedily in Deir-Ul-Zor, because the Deir-Ul-Zor residents play an important role in providing accurate information to the military, and their reason is to end a dark period in the history of the region."
