Thread by @OmerOzkizilcik

My latest for @TheNewTurkey about the demonstrations in Deir Ezzor against the YPG, the reasons behind them and the ongoing ISIS insurgency in the region. To the end of the article, I argue that Deir Ezzor should become an opposition stronghold again:

thenewturkey.org/the-occupation…

"The local people of Deir Ezzor, driven by tribal dynamics, organized wide-scaled demonstrations against the YPG-dominated governance in their areas. The demonstrators cut off roads from Deir Ezzor to Hasakah and burned tires."

"Since the capture of the DeirEzzor region by US partner forces dominated by the Marxist YPG, the new governors have been perceived as occupiers by the local people. As the YPG lacks the outreach into DeirEzzor's tribal society, people were banned from leaving their areas."

"According to DeirezZor24 News - a Syrian activist network – commanders of U.S. partner forces like Fawaz Al-Teraikhim are blackmailing people to pay or be arrested on charge of belonging to Daesh."

"The revenue income of the oil-rich region has been a main topic of the local people. They are angry about the fact that the YPG supplies the Assad regime with oil from the region and hence demand a full stop of oil deliveries to the regime."

"On May 1, tribal elders in DeirEzzor gathered together and handed over a 20-point demand list to the YPG-dominated SDF, giving the other side a 72-hour ultimatum. Tribes demanded the release of detained and the cessation of raids, to hand the administration to the local people."

"Since the administrative performance of the U.S. partners in Deir Ezzor have proved to be very bad, Daesh terrorists are exploiting the situation to their own advantage. Daesh changed its tactics to guerilla warfare."

h/t @TomaszRolbiecki for the great map!

"One suggestion could be to turn DeirEzzor to a Syrian opposition stronghold backed by US & Turkey. This idea would address the call of the local people to ‘return it to the way it started.’ Displaced peoples who originate from DeirEzzor could be relocated to their hometowns."

"Fighters from Deir Ezzor within the National Army like the @the_band20, Jaysh al Sharqiyyah & @ahraralsharqia could be relocated. By sending convoys similar to the evacuations from Ghouta & Homs to northern Syria, these people & fighters could be sent in convoys to Deir Ezzor."

"By doing so, the revolutionary flag would once again wave over the area, preventing the possibility of the Assad regime reaching a deal with the YPG in order to control the oil-rich region. Locals would not feel occupied, which will help ensure the defeat of Daesh."