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DeirEzzor24 exclusive report:
A clash took place this afternoon between a group of the Fourth Division and smugglers affiliated with “Mahmoud al-Rayes”, a member of the People’s Assembly, backed by members of the National Defense Militia, according to the correspondent of DeirEzzor 24 network.
Our reporter added that the incident occurred after members of the Fourth Division imposed royalties on smugglers affiliated with the President and smugglers affiliated with the National Defense Militia, turning the matter into a clash that led to the beating and stabbing of the Fourth Group’s members and their withdrawal.
He confirmed that negotiations are now taking place between the commander of the western sector groups in the National Defense Militia called “Abu Nizar” and officers from the Fourth Division, to settle the dispute and calm the situation, after the fourth members vowed to respond to the militia members.
“Al-Rayes” hails from the town of Al-Masrib in the western countryside of Deir Ezzor, and he has a track record of exploiting his position in the People’s Assembly, and his relations with officers and officials, in running smuggling and other suspicious operations in his favour.