Clashes between Arab tribes and US-backed forces escalate in Syria

Arab tribesmen briefly took control of two villages in northwest Syria in solidarity with tribesmen fighting the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northeast. The tribesmen later withdrew after heavy shelling and Russian air attacks. Tensions between the tribesmen and the SDF escalated into violence after the arrest of a local Arab armed group leader affiliated with the SDF. The fighting has resulted in dozens of deaths. The US has called for an end to the violence and urged all parties to de-escalate and resolve the situation peacefully.