Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Professor Chatty speaks to Syria Deeply about recent clashes between ISIS and the Bedouin tribes in eastern Syria

In a new article entitled 'As ISIS Violence Worsens, Deir Ezzor's Tribes Prepare for Fight', Dawn Chatty comments on an increase in fighting in the last few weeks between Bedouin tribes and ISIS. 

Professor Chatty explains that previously, many of Syria's Bedouin tribes had a 'live and let live' agreement with ISIS. They promised not to fight the extremist group as long as it respected their members. Now, after reports of brutal executions of Sheitaat tribe members by ISIS, that agreement is fraying. Professor Chatty believes that we will 'see the tribes start to gather up to fight': 

I think that ISIS's leadership is not particularly well-trained with the Bedouin...I don't think they care [if the Bedouin are well-equipped] – ISIS will control territory by terrorizing the local people. But the Bedouin are very hard to terrorize, and the Bedouin will really come back. I wouldn't be surprised to see them come back and control Raqqa. ISIS...took it over without a fight because they made agreements with local tribes in the area. But now ISIS's behavior is impacting the tribes and their economy and how they live, and they won't accept it.

Read the article >>

RELATED CONTENT

Dawn Chatty: Syrian tribes are protecting their communities against the government and ISIS News & Media

Dawn Chatty People 

Syria's Bedouin enter the fray External

Syrian tribes, national politics and the uprising External

Refugees from Syria: Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Research