Tribal assassinations spark Iraqi-Syrian border concern
The assassination of a prominent tribal figure and reports of continuing smuggling of individuals from Syria into Iraq have raised concerns on both sides of the border.
The assassination of a major tribal sheikh in eastern Syria and the ensuing protests have raised concerns about the stability of Deir ez-Zor province and what this may mean for its notoriously porous border with western Iraq.
The sheikh, Mutsher Hamud Jeidan al-Hifl, was a prominent leader of the Egaidat, the largest tribal confederation in the province. Another sheikh who was with him at the time was also killed.
The killings were followed by protests in eastern Syria, shootings and a statement of condolences from the United States.
It is currently unclear who killed the sheikhs or why. Many from the area deny it was the Islamic State (IS), usually blamed by default.
