by: sdf-press.com
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) security body, Asayish, has arrested 20 civilians for blocking a U.S. military patrol in northern al-Hasakah, the Step News Agency reported on May 13.
A source with knowledge on the matter told the outlet that the detainees are government supporters from the towns of al-Dishisha and al-Qahira.
“The SDF took the detainees to interrogate them,” the Step News Agency quoted the source as saying.
The detained civilians blocked a patrol of U.S. forces near the town of Tell Tamr in the northern al-Hasakah countryside a day earlier. The civilians, who were chanting for the Damascus government, forced the patrol to retreat.
Several similar incidents took place in northern al-Hasakah in the last few months. U.S. forces’ movement in the region was largely restricted.
This may be the first time the SDF moves to arrest civilians for blocking a U.S. patrol. The step will likely provoke many locals, especially Arabs that consider the SDF to be a Kurdish-dominated group.
