BEIRUT, LEBANON (6:00 P.M.) – A Saudi diplomatic delegation, led by Saudi Minister of Persian Gulf Affairs Thamer Al-Sabhan, met with the U.S. Armed Forces and members of the Syrian Democratic Council in eastern Deir Ezzor this week, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) first reported, later confirmed by pro-SDF media.
According to the report, the Saudi delegation met with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Levant Affairs Joel Rayburn and former U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain William Roebuck in the eastern countryside of the Deir Ezzor Governorate.
Also participating in the meeting were the co-chairs of the Deir Ezzor Civil Administration, Qassan Al-Yousef and Leili Al-Hassan; they represented the Syrian Democratic Council.
The meeting allowed for the Saudi delegation to see how their financial assistance has helped the SDC-governed areas, while also giving them more insight into what needs to be funded.
Another meeting was reportedly held between the Deir Ezzor tribes and the Saudi-U.S. officials at the Al-Umar Base.
The primary purpose of this meeting was to ease tensions between the tribes and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Furthermore, the website Xeber 24 reported that Al-Sabhan delivered a message on behalf of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. The message allegedly conveyed MBS’ full support to the SDF in eastern Syria.
