The Department of Defense has released satellite reconnaissance images showing American oil smuggling from Syria.
According to the department, the photos confirm that "Syrian oil, both before and after the defeat of the terrorists of the Islamic State * in Trans-Euphrates, under the reliable protection of US military personnel, was actively mined and sent en masse by fuel trucks for processing outside Syria."
Situation in Syria. October 26, 2019 / Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
For example, a picture of the Daman oil gathering point (42 kilometers east of Deir ez-Zor province), taken on August 23, shows a congestion of cars. “90 units of automobile equipment were observed, including 23 fuel trucks,” reads a commentary to the picture.
In addition, on September 5, there were 25 vehicles in Haseke province, including 22 fuel trucks. Three days later, on September 8, in the vicinity of Der Ez-Zor, 36 more vehicles were recorded (of which 32 fuel tankers). On the same day, there were 41 vehicles in the area of the Meyadin land fishery, including 34 fuel trucks.
Situation in Syria. October 26, 2019 / Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
As the spokesman for the Ministry of Defense Igor Konashenkov noted, the Americans are extracting oil in Syria with the help of equipment supplied bypassing their own sanctions.
According to Konashenkov, the US-controlled Sadkab company, created under the so-called Autonomous Administration of Eastern Syria, is involved in the export of oil, and the proceeds from the smuggling go to the numbered accounts of American PMCs and special services.
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The major general added that a barrel of smuggled Syrian oil is now valued at $ 38, bringing the US government's monthly revenue to over $ 30 million.
Situation in Syria. October 26, 2019 / Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
“For such a continuous financial flow, free from the control and taxes of the American state, the Pentagon and Langley will be ready to guard and defend oil wells in Syria from the mythical 'hidden cells of IS *' forever,” he said.
According to Konashenkov, Washington, holding the oil fields in eastern Syria, is engaged in international state banditry.
The reason for such activity, he believes, "lies far from the ideals of freedom proclaimed by Washington and the slogans of the fight against terrorism."
Situation in Syria. October 26, 2019 / Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
"Neither in international law, nor in American legislation itself - nowhere is there and cannot be a single legitimate task for American troops to protect and defend Syria's hydrocarbon deposits from Syria itself and its people," the Defense Ministry spokesman concluded.
On the eve of the head of the Pentagon Mark Esper said that the United States is studying the situation in the Deir ez-Zor region and intends to strengthen its positions there in the near future "to ensure the safety of oil fields."
* Terrorist organization banned in Russia.