MOSUL, Iraq – The Islamic State (ISIS) is offering good salaries in its reported search for oil refinery managers, as it tries to keep up on oil smuggling operation that has been going to fund its war against the world.
ISIS has reportedly advertised on the black market, especially appealing to Saudis, and offering experts who can manage its oil operations an annual salary of $225,000.
Analysts say that is evidence the militants are trying to keep raising funds through oil smuggling to head off poverty and a revolt in the third of Iraq and Syria that is under their rule.
ISIS controls roughly a third of Iraq and as much of Syria, an area three times the size of Lebanon and a population of 8 million that is controlled by an estimated 50,000 fighters.
The religious zealots’ invasion of Iraq’s Sunni territories last June forced many government technocrats to flee their areas, leaving ISIS with vital oil facilities but without enough experts to run them.
Before the US airstrikes, ISIS produced 80,000 barrels of oil per day. But the air attacks, which have been particularly targeting ISIS sources of revenue, appear to have degraded the militants’ oil smuggling operations.
ISIS is believed to have been generating at least $2 million daily from illegal oil sales. Kirkuk was initially the main route for its illegal exports. But the group stopped using this route after Rudaw released video of their oil tankers. Most of ISIS’ oil sales now take place inside Syria.
Experts say that widespread poverty and unemployment in ISIS controlled areas could lead to local resistance against the group.
They believe that the group’s oil revenues and external support -- estimated at around $40 million per year -- will not meet the economic needs of the people under ISIS rule.
“A local Sunni revolt against ISIS may be on the horizon,” one expert said.
Analysts who spoke to Rudaw said ISIS had initially intended to invade Baghdad in order to gain international recognition.
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