Turkey denounces US firm's oil deal with SDF

Click to read the article in Turkish

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday (August 3) denounced a US firm's signing a deal with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to extract, process and produce oil in northeastern Syria.

"We deeply regret the US support to this step, disregarding international law, violating territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty of Syria, as well as being considered within the scope of financing terrorism. This act, which cannot be justified by any legitimate motive, is utterly unacceptable" the ministry said in a written statement.

The statement came after media reports that the US-based company Delta Crescent Energy LLC signed a contract with the SDF for oil extraction, processing, and trade in the northeastern parts of Syria.

"By this step, the PKK/YPG terrorist organization has clearly demonstrated its ambition to advance its separatist agenda by seizing the natural resources of the Syrian people. The natural resources of Syria belong to the Syrian people," the ministry said.

Citing "sources with close knowledge of the deal," Al-Monitor reported that the agreement to market oil in territory controlled by the SDF and to develop and modernize existing fields was inked "with the knowledge and encouragement of the White House." (AS/VK)