The military situation in the Syrian province of Idlib remains critical. The parties to the conflict were unable to secure a ceasefire, as a result of which government forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad were forced to resume hostilities on 5 August 2019 , in order to suppress the attacks organized by the Khayyat Tahrir al-Sham units. Enormous assistance in eliminating the epicenter of the terrorist threat in Idlib is provided by the Bedouin tribes, whose representatives are fighting on the side of government forces. The most influential tribal group in the region is Bani Ezz, which over the past 9 years has been actively participating in battles against various terrorist groups in Syria.
Specifically for World Geostrategic Insights, we spoke with Crown Prince of the Bani Ezz tribe, Sheikh Mohammed al-Khalif.
1. Sheikh Ahmed al-Mubarak, the commander of the Bani Ezz tribe, once said in an interview with Sputnik news agency that under his leadership, thousands of militias operating in the province of Idlib on the side of the Syrian government army are ready for any possible battle in several directions to free Idlib from various kinds of terrorist groups. How relevant are the statements of Sheikh Ahmed al-Mubarak at present? How likely are casual clashes between militias led by Sheikh Ahmed al-Mubarak with Turkish army units, given that in the near future Ankara intends to intensify its military presence in the region? Are there any non-aggression arrangements made between the Bani Ezz militias and other parties to the conflict operating in Idlib?
– Under the command of my sister’s husband Sheikh Ahmed al-Mubarak, there are currently more than one thousand militias who have experience fighting various radical groups operating in Syria. For 9 years, we have been suffering from terrorists who have occupied villages belonging to our clan. And our duty at any time to be ready to free our lands. Because of this, under the Syrian military leadership, representatives of the Bani Ezz tribe have the opportunity to act at any time and in any direction to fight the Khayyat Tahrir al-Sham militants and the terrorists who joined them. At the same time, it is absolutely not important for us what Turkey will do in the Syrian theater of military operations. We operate independently of Ankara and do not maintain any contact with the Turks. However, we do not try to provoke the Turks and, if possible, we strive to minimize the risk of accidental collisions with them. Currently, we only have agreements with the Syrian government army and Moscow, since they are our allies, and we respect them. Cooperation with other parties to the conflict means the rejection of our decisions, which is absolutely unacceptable for us.
2. As a result of the decision of Turkish President Recep Erdogan to start a military operation in the north-eastern part of Syria from August 20 to 25, 2019, a logical consequence could be the cessation of Turkish assistance to the moderate opposition in Idlib. In turn, this can lead to the fact that Ankara, in fact, plans to surrender the territory of Bolshoi Idlib to the M4 highway line. Such a development of events probably contributes to the revitalization of the Khayyat Tahrir al-Sham, which in fact will not meet any serious resistance from the Turkish army. Will the Bani Ezz militia strategy in Idlib change in this case? Is it right to say that the Bani Ezz militia in this case can form an alliance with other tribal groups operating in Idlib in order to form a stable front against the Khayyat Tahrir al-Sham?
– The command of the Bani Ezz tribe is aware that the upcoming military campaign in Turkey can lead to an escalation of the conflict in Idlib, where hundreds of terrorists are ready to go on the offensive at any time. The regrouping of Turkish troops to the north-east contributes to the growth of activity of “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham” in the region. We anticipate these processes and are ready for them. We decided to strengthen the Bani Ezz militia by attracting additional forces. We are ready for any development of events and intend to organize a serious attack on the positions of terrorists. With the support of the Syrian government army and Russian friends, we plan to create a large tribal alliance under the auspices of the conglomerate “Al Muvali”, which will include, among other things, the Bani Ezz tribe. This alliance will become a powerful enough force to organize full-scale resistance to terrorists in order to liberate the entire territory of Syria. Al Muvali was repeatedly humiliated by terrorists, many tribal leaders were killed. Therefore, our main task is to avenge Khayyat Tahrir al-Sham for all our supporters who died.
3. On August 5, 2019, the Syrian government army resumed hostilities at the Khayyat Tahrir al-Sham sites in northern Hama and southern Idlib. So, attacks were inflicted on the settlements of Kaban, Latakia, Kafr Zita and Khan Sheikhun. Thus, the ceasefire, which, however, was observed very conditionally, was violated, which implies that the Idlib problem is still relevant, since Russia and Turkey, acting as leading guarantors of the de-escalation of the conflict in Idlib, as well as the government of Bashar al-Assad failed to eliminate all the centers of terrorists. Does this mean that the Bani Ezz militia as an auxiliary force will be involved in the fighting in Idlib? What difficulties might the Bani Ezz militia face in the process of hostilities?
“If we receive an order from our supreme commander-in-chief, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and also subject to support from Russia, of course, we will readily take part in any military operation.” Since most tribal villages are still under terrorist occupation, we cannot stand idle. Of course, there are enough difficulties in our business. So, we had problems with a lack of heavy weapons and financing. But these problems are solvable. In the end, when it comes to saving our country, Syria, we are ready to fight, even with unarmed and bare hands, to destroy all our enemies. It is our duty! It is our life!
4. In July 2018, Bani Ezz tribal leaders organized a reception for the Ambassador of Brunei in Jordan. This fact can be interpreted as a manifestation of the high international authority of Bani Ezz, whose leaders have friendly relations with influential politicians and diplomats of Syria, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Brunei and other countries. What are the principles of Bani Ezz’s foreign policy? How do the sheikhs of Bani Ezz feel about Russia and do they maintain direct contacts with Moscow?
– Bani Ezz tribe leaders have many friends around the world. Our meetings with friends are organized regularly: we exchange experience, strengthen our relations, organize joint events. This is a natural practice. Yes, the international authority of Bani Ezz is huge: many politicians and diplomats respect us. And we answer them with the same – respect and love. Representatives of our tribe maintain good relations with Moscow. And we were one of the participants in the conference in Sochi in 2018. Bani Ezz coordinates its activities with the Russian military leadership, in connection with which weekly meetings are organized between us. We value Russia’s contribution to the process of resolving the Syrian crisis. As the Crown Prince of the Bani Ezz tribe, I speak with you from the front of the fighting in the southern part of Idlib province. I am ready to sacrifice myself for the Syrian Arab Republic, Syrian President Bashar Assad and the Russian Federation.