Large numbers of people in Syria' s eastern province of Deir al-Zour on Sunday volunteered to join the tribes of that oil-rich region in their fight against the Islamic State (IS) militants, according to Syria's official TV.
The TV said the people in Deir al-Zour were volunteering to fight the IS, which has controlled almost all of Deir al-Zour, bordering Iraq.
The tribes of Deir al-Zour, mainly the al-Sheitan and Shwait, have been on the offensive against the IS fighters since a week ago as more tribes are expected to join the battles against the al- Qaida breakaway group.
The tribes' fighters killed many of the IS militants during the week-long battles, which have been ignited by the crimes the IS had committed against the civilians and tribesmen of Deir al-Zour.
Local media said Sunday that the tribesmen have hoisted the Syrian official flag on some areas they recaptured from the IS in the countryside of Deir al-Zour, calling for the help of the Syrian army.
The tribes of Deir al-Zour are an influential force and instrumental in regaining control over that oil-rich province that has for long spiraled out of the government control.