US company signs agreement with Syrian Democratic Forces to develop oil fields in the region
An American oil company has signed a deal with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to develop and modernize existing oil fields in northeastern Syria, Al-Monitor reported on July 30. The deal was made “with the acknowledgement and encouragement of the White House," sources told Al-Monitor.
Duvar English
The American Delta Crescent Energy LLC oil company has signed a deal with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) regarding the development of oil fields in northeastern Syria, according to a report in the Al-Monitor news portal.
Sources that spoke with Al-Monitor said that the deal was made to “develop and modernize” existing fields in the area and that it was made “with the acknowledgement and encouragement of the White House.”
Ankara and Washington have long been atodds over the latter's support of the SDF and its armed unit YPG,which Turkey considers to be the Syrian outpost of the bannedmilitant Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK).
However, the sources reportedlyindicated that Ankara did not display a negative reaction toward theAmerican oil company's agreement with the SDF.
Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republicanand close ally of American President Donald Trump, engaged in talkswith SDF leader Mazlum Kobani regarding the American company'sdevelopment of oil fields in the area.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wassaid to have approved the agreement.
Most of Syria's oil supply originates from the northeastern part of the country that is controlled by the Syrian forces, which have been backed by the United States, particularly as the YPG fought to drive ISIS out of their self-declared capital of Raqqa.