ERBIL — Recent clashes in Syria's eastern province of Deir ez-Zor have resulted in a high death toll of 71 individuals, mostly fighters, including nine civilians, raising concerns over Arab-Kurdish relations in the region, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.

On August 27, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) arrested Ahmad Khabil, also known as Abu Khawla, the commander of the Deir ez-Zor Military Council. This arrest led to local Arab backlash, escalating into clashes across several villages.

The pace of development accelerated as the pro-Regime forces moved into the conflict zone along the Euphrates River. Subsequently, the SDF imposed a 48-hour curfew in the area, commencing on September 1.

Analysts warn of potential escalation and its impact on Arab-Kurdish relations in this sensitive area, emphasizing the high death toll as a central concern.

In response to the clashes, US officials held a meeting with the SDF and tribal leaders in Deir ez-Zor on Sunday. They emphasized the importance of reducing violence promptly and warned against foreign intervention in the province.

Moreover, Ankara-backed Syrian Islamist groups, claiming affiliation with Arab tribes, also joined the fray, attacking areas under SDF control in northern Syria to support local fighters in Deir ez-Zor.

The SDF, for its part, maintained that it had no disputes with the Arab tribes and urged residents to refrain from involvement in such conflicts, asserting constant communication with the tribes.

Deir ez-Zor province, located on the Syrian-Iraqi border, is predominantly Arab and home to numerous Arab tribes. It also hosts Syria's major oil fields and is controlled by the SDF, a coalition of Kurdish and Arab factions.