Protests against Kurdish rule widen in Deir Az Zor as Arabs complain of discrimination and forced conscription.
Arab inhabitants of Syria's Deir Az Zor have begun a third week of protests against Kurdish rule, according to residents and tribal figures.
The protests, which started out in several towns and villages from Busayrah to Shuhail, on Wednesday spread to the east of the Euphrates river where most of the oilfields are located.
The protesters have been complaining of lack of basic services and discrimination against them in local administrations run by Kurdish officials.
The forcible conscription of youths into the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as well as the fate of thousands imprisoned in their jails have been major bones of contention, according to residents and tribal figures.
"Their repressive rule has turned many against them," said Abdul Latif al Okaidat, a tribal leader.
"No to the theft of our oil!" chanted demonstrators in the town of Greinej, part of the Arab-Sunni tribal heartland seized over a year ago by the United States-backed SDF and spearheaded by the Kurdish YPG armed group.
The stepping up of oil sales to alleviate a fuel crunch facing Damascus has infuriated the local Arab protesters, with many placards saying they were being "robbed" of their wealth.
"We are deprived of everything while the Kurds are selling our oil to help the regime and enriching themselves," said Abdullah Issa, a protester from al Tayaneh town.