Sheikh Mani Hamidi al-Jarba, head of the influential Arab Shammar tribe in Syria, called for restoring central government control over the country’s entire territory. At the same time, he expressed serious concern about the situation in the al-Jazira region in northeastern Syria, where, he said, preparations for a large-scale military confrontation are underway. The sheikh stressed that his tribe naturally supports the unity and sovereignty of Syria.
Al-Jarba called for seeking diplomatic and political solutions through negotiations to spare the region from armed clashes and prevent bloodshed. He particularly noted the strength of Arab–Kurdish relations in al-Jazira, emphasizing the importance of peaceful coexistence among different communities and preventing a slide into ethnic or religious conflict. According to him, this region has historically been a place of genuine shared living among various groups without a sense of racial distinction.
The Shammar tribe is one of the most significant Arab tribes living in the al-Jazira region, especially in Deir ez-Zor province. The tribe has ancient Arab roots, and its history of settlement on the banks of the Euphrates spans many centuries, which has given it strong demographic and political influence within the social structure of eastern Syria.
Recently the Shammar tribe has actively participated in military events in the country’s east. It took part in a united Arab tribal movement that opposed control of the region by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), where Kurdish formations are dominant. That collective role, it is noted, became one of the key factors that forced the SDF to make concessions in line with agreements previously reached with the government.
Comments on the news
- What is the historical and contemporary role of tribal structures like the Shammar tribe in Syria’s political and social life, especially outside major cities? - Historically, large tribes such as the Shammar played a key role in social organization and dispute resolution in Syria’s rural and desert regions, where the presence of the central state was weak. They functioned as networks of mutual support, provided security, and represented the interests of their members to authorities. In the modern Syrian conflict their role has become even more significant. With the collapse of state institutions, tribal structures often assumed functions of local governance, resource distribution, and even forming armed units for self-defense. Their loyalty became a battleground among the government, Kurdish forces (SDF), and other groups. However, tribes are not monolithic, and disagreements can exist within them regarding support for any given side.
- What is the al-Jazira region in Syria in terms of its ethnic composition, economic significance, and why is it contested by various forces during the conflict? - The al-Jazira region in northeastern Syria is a multiethnic territory inhabited by Kurds, Arabs (including both settled populations and tribes like the Shammar), Assyrians, Armenians, and other groups. Economically, it is Syria’s breadbasket and energy heart: the country’s main oil and gas reserves are concentrated here, as well as extensive agricultural lands (notably for wheat and cotton). These resources and the region’s strategic location (bordering Iraq and Turkey) have made al-Jazira the subject of fierce dispute. Competing for control are: the Syrian government (seeking to restore access to the resources), Kurdish self-defense forces (SDF, aiming for autonomy within this predominantly Kurdish region), Turkey (which views Kurdish dominance as a threat and conducts military operations), and earlier — the terrorist organization ISIS. The demographic balance and the rights of different ethnic groups are also central issues in this conflict.
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