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Syrians protest US-backed SDF forces’ control over oil wells, crude plunder

In this file picture, US-backed militants from the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are seen in an undisclosed location in Dayr al-Zawr, eastern Syria. (Photo by Reuters)

Dozens of people have staged a demonstration in Syria’s eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr to protest the control of the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) over crude oil wells in the energy-rich area, and their plunder of natural resources in collaboration with the US military.

Syria’s official news agency SANA, citing sources requesting not to be named, reported that residents of Ruwaished village demonstrated against the looting and smuggling of oil by the US-backed and Kurdish-led militants.

The participants blocked al-Kharafi road, which connects Dayr al-Zawr to the neighboring province of Hasakah, and demanded an immediate end to the SDF forces’ theft of Syrian crude reserves.

New convoy of US tankers laden with oil smuggled out of eastern Syria

Separately, a convoy of 35 tankers and trucks belonging to US forces has left Jazira region in Syria’s province of Hasakah, and made its way to Iraq via al-Walid border crossing, SANA reported, citing local sources.

The looting of Syrian oil by the US was fist confirmed during a Senate hearing exchange between South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in late July.

During his testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on July 30, Pompeo confirmed for the first time that an American oil company would begin work in northeastern Syria, which is controlled by SDF militants.

The SDF, a US-backed alliance of Kurdish militants operating against Damascus, currently controls areas in northern and eastern Syria.

The Syrian government has denounced in the strongest terms any agreement inked to plunder the country’s natural resources, including Syrian oil and gas, with the sponsorship of the administration of US President Donald Trump.

The US president has more than once acknowledged that American military forces are in Syria for the Arab country's oil.


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