Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commanders met with tribal leaders in Tepqa on August 21st, 2024, amidst attempts by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Syrian Arab Republic Army (SARA) to organize Arab tribes against the SDF. The meeting aimed to solidify alliances and counter efforts to incite tribal unrest. During the meeting, tribal leaders expressed their support for the SDF, with one leader stating, "The SDF has been the only force protecting the Syrian people. We will support the SDF until the end." This statement, reported via social media, indicates a unified front from the tribal leadership present in Tepqa against external attempts to sow discord. Reports indicate that both HTS and SARA have been actively working to mobilize Arab tribes, attempting to incite them to launch attacks against SDF positions. The SDF's proactive engagement with tribal leaders in Tepqa appears to be a strategic move to preemptively counter these mobilization efforts and ensure continued tribal cooperation.
