Syrian regime might be after Kurdish-controlled oil fields, says top US commander

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Syrian regime and its allies might want to control oil fields currently controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Thursday.  

“We do recognize potentially Syrian forces, pro-regime forces, PRF forces as we call them, might want to push particularly against the oil fields that our SDF partners operate, that do provide a source of income for them,” General Kenneth McKenzie said in a press conference.

“We’ll have to see how that plays out. We've been able to hold the line on that to this date.  And I don't see any sign of an imminent attempt to do that.  It's certainly something we'll watch for in the future.”

The SDF - the main ally of the US-led global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) on the ground in Syria - controls most of Syria’s oil, which is largely located in the east of the country. 

The SDF and regime forces are neighbours in most of the eastern areas but the relations between both forces have been mostly peaceful despite occasional embargoes. Iran-backed groups are also present in the area. 

“The regime forces dream of controlling oil fields currently under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces. I believe due to the presence of the US there and their fear of the US forces, they are not able to do so,” Rami Abdulrahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) told Rudaw English late on Friday. 

“However, there is an intention and insistence from the regime forces to control oil fields controlled by the SDF.”

Rojava is exempt from US sanctions on Syria, allowing the US-owned Delta Crescent Energy LLC to invest in Rojava’s oil sector by improving production and refining. 

Meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi in the Oval Office in August, former US President Donald Trump said that they will work with Syrian Kurds on the oil sector, adding he had dedicated US troops in the country to keep the oil in the hands of Kurdish forces.
 
The US had said they will keep the oil out of the hands of Iran and President Bashar al-Assad. Joe Biden’s administration has also said that it will continue supporting the SDF.

Kurdish and regime forces have largely avoided major confrontations during Syria’s decade of conflict. There have been clashes between them in some areas in Rojava where the regime’s militia groups are present. 

Clashes renewed this week in Qamishli.