Sheiks and opinion leaders in the clans in the Deir ez-Zor region have started preparations to form their civilian councils after the announcement of the Operation Cizire Storm. The first step in the Deir ez-Zor Civilian Council has also been announced.

The sheikhs, opinion leaders and influential people in the clans in and around Deir ez-Zor issued a joint statement for the public.

According to the statement, the Deir ez-Zor Civilian Council will be governing the areas liberated from ISIS.

“COUNCILS WILL TAKE OVER THE CITY ADMINISTRATION”

The statement is as follows:

“The Deir ez-Zor Military Council and the SDF has launched the Operation Cizire Storm. This is the first step in liberating Deir ez-Zor from ISIS gangs. The gangs destroyed and pillaged the region extensively. They pushed the locals out. With that, the people of Deir ez-Zor suffered a lot at the hands of the regime as well. They were devoid of even the most fundamental rights. Despite rich underground resources the people of the region are poor, even though the Euphrates River flows through the lands, the people have no water.

On this basis, as the sheikhs and opinion leaders of the region’s clans we have taken the first step to form the Preparation Committee for the Deir ez-Zor Civilian Council. The council to be formed will be like the councils of other cities liberated from ISIS, which have taken over the administration of the liberated cities.

The Deir ez-Zor clans’ opinion leaders in the Preparation Committee support the Operation Cizre Storm launched by the SDF. We see them as the forces that will realize our hopes and dreams and will facilitate the return of the migrated. We are calling on all the Deir ez-Zor youth with hearts burning for their country, all the clans and all villages to join the SDF and take their place in the war against terror. We are also hoping all the opinion leaders in the region will partake in the efforts, because they have honor and dignity, and they will join this force with all their strength and fulfil their duty. And our expectation from all political, cultural and social institutions is that they aid the operation to liberate Deir ez-Zor in the best way they can.”