The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Turkey-based activist Mustafa Osso said the terrorist group was forced to bring in reinforcements from neighboring Iraq after members of the Shueitat tribe drove ISIL militants out of the villages of Kishkieh, Abu Hamam and Granij.

The Observatory, a Britain-based group, said tribesmen torched the local headquarters of the ISIL in the nearby town of Ashara and that residents held a demonstration against the group.

Osso and the Observatory said fighting first broke out Wednesday after militants detained three tribesmen.

There has been wide resentment recently because of ISIL’s acts, said Osso.

The Observatory said tribesmen captured the nearby Tanak oil field Friday. It added that the ISIL had sent a large number of militants from the Iraqi border town of Qaim to reinforce the group's positions.

The Observatory said four days of fighting left nine militants, three tribesmen and five civilians dead.

RA/NJF