Page 15 - FSUOGM Week 35 2020

FSUOGM POLICY FSUOGM

Iran, Russia and Turkey seek to

undermine Syrian oil deal

RUSSIA ON August 26, Iran, Russia and Turkey intention was to steal Syrian crude. The minis-
denounced a recent deal between Syrian Dem- try said it “condemn[ed] in the strongest terms
The deal was signed ocratic Forces (SDF) and a US firm to develop the agreement signed between al-Qasd militia
between Syrian oilfields in north-east Syria, reaffirming their (SDF) and an American oil company to steal
Democratic Forces and commitment to Syrian sovereignty. Syria’s oil under the sponsorship and support of
a US firm. The three countries are part of the Astana the American administration … This agreement
Syrian peace talks, which do not include the is null and void and has no legal basis.”
US. A joint statement was released in which Turkey’s involvement in the latest statement is
Tehran, Moscow and Ankara “expressed their unsurprising. In early August, its Foreign Min-
opposition to the illegal seizure and transfer of istry accused Delta Crescent of “financing ter-
Syria’s oil revenues […while condemning] the rorism” by entering a deal with the SDF, which
illegal oil deal between a US licensed company mostly comprises the Syrian-Kurdish militia
and the illegitimate entity as part of its separatist force YPG, which Turkey considers to be a terror
agenda.” group because of its links to the outlawed Kurd-
The oil deal, which was signed in early istan Workers' Party (PKK).
August, received backing from the US, which In a statement on August 3, Turkey’s For-
supports the SDF, and the signatory, Delta Cres- eign Ministry said: “We deeply regret the US
cent Energy, received a sanctions waiver from support for this step, disregarding international
the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign law, violating the territorial integrity, unity and
Asset Control (OFAC). Senior Washington offi- sovereignty of Syria. This act, which cannot
cials have confirmed that a deal was signed to be justified by any legitimate motive, is utterly
“modernise” oilfields under its control. unacceptable.”
US Senator Lindsey Graham, a long-time It added: “With this step, the PKK/YPG ter-
supporter of the Syrian Kurds, told Congress rorist organisation has clearly demonstrated its
last week that he had spoken to SDF commander ambition to advance its separatist agenda by
General Mazloum Abdi about the deal, AFP seizing the natural resources of the Syrian peo-
reported. ple. The natural resources of Syria belong to the
Graham told Politico: “I think this compa- Syrian people.”
ny’s going to improve the viability of the north- Meanwhile, various regional media outlets
ern oilfields to make them more productive … have said that Iran, Russia and Turkey are co-or-
Conceptually it makes sense that we should, dinating efforts to undermine the SDF in eastern
instead of just writing cheques, help people help Syria through a combination of putting pressure
themselves.” on US forces along the Euphrates while Turkey
Syria’s Foreign Ministry released a statement cuts off water to areas under SDF control and
that described the deal as illegal and said that its Russian patrols harass US troops. ™

Week 35 02•September•2020 www. NEWSBASE .com P15