Iraqi military and security sources reported on Wednesday that Iraqi army and Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) units have entered a state of heightened alert in the Nineveh Island area bordering Syria, due to intense battles between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Arab tribes. The sources told Shafaq News Agency that "these developments come as fighting escalates in Deir ez-Zor, Syria, between Arab tribes and the SDF, which has prompted American forces to intervene in support of the SDF."
It was clarified that "Iraqi army units and the PMF have entered a state of heightened alert out of concern for potential repercussions, as the desert island areas between Nineveh and Salah ad-Din are adjacent to Deir ez-Zor in Syria."
On his part, Hamid al-Yasiri, the commander of the Ansar al-Marja'iya Brigade in the PMF, directed his unit's members to prepare for military mobilization in the island areas of Nineveh and to protect the Iraqi-Syrian border. Al-Yasiri, in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, called on all members of the brigade, including those on regular leave, to join immediately to bolster security presence in Nineveh Island.
He concluded by advising his troops: "Wait for the special call that will reach you," although al-Yasiri did not disclose the nature of the mission in his statement. Social media accounts monitored by Shafaq News indicated that there are threats to the Iraqi-Syrian border from the Nineveh province due to armed groups from Arab tribes in Deir ez-Zor taking control of several villages near U.S. bases after fierce battles with SDF forces. Video footage showed these armed groups, self-proclaimed as "Tribal Forces," taking control of the town of Abu Hamam in eastern Deir ez-Zor after driving out the SDF, which is cooperating with American forces.
