Damascus-backed factions and Kurdish-led forces clash in northern Syria

Clashes between armed groups affiliated with the Syrian government and the fighters of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Monday left several casualties in northern Syria.

The factions infiltrated the town of Dhiban in Deir ez-Zor province, and were encircled by SDF units, SDF media center said in a statement, adding that several were killed in the clashes and the armed groups retreated to areas under the control of the Syrian government on the western bank of the River Euphrates.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) confirmed the clashes, saying:

"Local gunmen carried out an infiltration operation on Theban town in eastern Deir Ezzor countryside, coinciding with artillery fire by regime forces."

The clashes left six local gunmen, three SDF fighters and a civilian dead, SOHR said.

The recent fighting came less than three weeks after a conflict between SDF and Arab militia left dozens dead in Deir ez-Zor.