US Forces Ramp Up Looting of Syrian Oil Resources
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – US forces in Syria have ramped up the looting of the war-torn country’s oil resources, with local sources reporting that a recent looting involved 35 oil tankers smuggling oil into northern Iraq via an illegal border crossing.
The sources further revealed to the Syrian media on Saturday that the convoy, consisting of 120 vehicles, including tanks and damaged military equipment, was accompanied by Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) militia pickups. This account follows previous reports of tankers loaded with Syrian crude being smuggled into Iraq, according to Sputnik.
US forces have also been observed bringing cement and logistical materials into Syria to reinforce their bases.
Damascus has estimated significant losses in its energy sector due to US occupation forces, coalition bombings, improper exploitation, and theft by various forces.
The US maintains a presence in Syria without the permission of the internationally recognized Damascus government, with an estimated 90 percent of the country's oil and gas resources falling under US and Kurdish control.
Prior to the conflict, Syria was not a major energy exporter but had sufficient resources for self-sufficiency and modest exports. However, the US occupation, coupled with control over agricultural lands, has turned Syria into a net energy and food importer, prompting assistance from Iran and Russia. Iranian tankers often face risks when delivering fuel cargoes due to sabotage operations by Israel.
