Detail the United States' oil theft activities in Syria.

Because of its terrorist activities, on August 15, 2014, the UN Security Council convened a meeting on 'the threat posed by terrorist acts to international peace and security' and unanimously adopted Resolution 2170, deciding to take measures to cut off funding sources and foreign fighters for extremist groups in Iraq and Syria, and to impose sanctions on relevant individuals. ISIS’s primary source of funding was the extraction of oil within Syria and its subsequent sale overseas. On November 21, 2015, the Security Council held another emergency meeting to vote on a draft resolution submitted by France targeting the Islamic State (ISIS). The resolution passed unanimously with 15 votes in favor, urging member states capable of doing so—pursuant to international law—to take all necessary measures within territories of Syria and Iraq under ISIS control, specifically to prevent and combat terrorist acts committed by ISIS and the Al-Nusra Front, and to dismantle the safe havens they had established across large parts of Iraq and Syria. China voted in favor and delivered a statement supporting military action against ISIS. Both the Russian and U.S. military presence in Syria today is grounded in this UN Security Council resolution, citing counter-terrorism as their justification for deployment: Russia is stationed in areas controlled by the Assad government, while U.S. forces are based in former ISIS-held territories—which, after ISIS’s expulsion, became controlled by Kurdish forces. Regarding Syria’s oilfield distribution: Compared with other Arab countries, Syria’s oil output is relatively modest and unevenly distributed. The map below shows Syria’s oil reserves. As shown in the map, oilfields (black areas) are concentrated in northeastern Syria—a region that coincided precisely with territory formerly controlled by ISIS. In contrast, natural gas fields predominate in areas under the control of the Syrian government (the Assad regime). According to official Syrian government claims, the anti-government armed coalition has illegally seized approximately 90% of Syria’s petroleum resources. The allegation that U.S. forces are stealing oil originates from statements by the Syrian government (the Assad regime). According to data released by Syria’s Ministry of Petroleum, the country’s total oil production in the first half of 2022 amounted to 14.5 million barrels, averaging 80,300 barrels per day; of this, 66,000 barrels per day were allegedly looted by U.S. forces stationed in Syria and the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance—accounting for roughly 83% of daily output. The Syrian government further criticized the U.S. military for routinely deploying over one hundred oil tankers to transport stolen petroleum resources from northeastern Syria through the illegal crossing point of Mahamoudi in Hasakah Province’s northeast into Iraq. As noted earlier, anti-government armed groups lack sufficient domestic refining capacity, so—like ISIS before them—they export crude oil to Iraq for refining, then import back diesel or gasoline for their own use. In summary: After Syrian government forces were driven out by ISIS, the oil-rich northeastern region—particularly Deir ez-Zor Province—fell almost entirely under ISIS control. ISIS then carried out widespread massacres against local Kurds (many of whom are Christian). Later, with U.S. support, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) expelled ISIS and assumed control of this area.

The most powerful oil-theft syndicate, earning $70 billion in the Middle East and leaving the region without oil to buy.

At the end of the 1990s, many long-haul truck drivers kept steel pipes handy. Although highway bandits have largely vanished, fuel theft remains rampant on expressways. If a driver stops to rest at a service area, thieves using fake license plates may siphon an entire fuel tank overnight—netting no less than ten thousand RMB in a single night. At its most brazen, fuel thieves would even brandish machetes to wake sleeping drivers and force them to watch helplessly as their hard-earned money was stolen. Sounds intimidating, right? Yet the risks involved are actually quite high. First, recent years have seen intensified crackdowns on such crimes, steadily shrinking the operational space available to fuel thieves. Second, the diesel they steal can only be sold covertly on the local black market—and buyers often exploit this to drive down prices. But there’s an old saying: 'Those who steal hooks are executed; those who steal kingdoms become feudal lords.' To truly make big money from fuel theft, one must do more than just steal aggressively—it requires controlling the entire downstream industrial chain to maximize profits. Recently, Americans demonstrated exactly how it’s done—in the Middle East. On August 11, U.S. forces illegally stationed in Syria deployed a massive convoy comprising 144 oil tankers, loaded with petroleum resources stolen from northern Syria, and marched them openly into Iraq. What made this especially awkward was that Syrian intelligence agencies not only obtained precise information about the convoy—including its composition and route—but also captured numerous videos and photographs. The evidence formed a tightly interlocking chain, making denial virtually impossible. According to Syrian intelligence, such theft has become routine practice among U.S. forces. Across the first half of 2022, Syria produced 14.5 million barrels of oil, averaging 80,300 barrels per day. Yet embarrassingly, U.S. forces stole up to 66,000 barrels daily from northeastern Syria—approximately 83% of Syria’s total daily output. These stolen resources were seized by U.S. troops and their allied opposition forces and forcibly transported into Iraq. With the remaining supply unable to meet domestic demand, the Syrian government was forced to raise gasoline prices by 127%. Even so, many citizens still endure sweltering heat while queuing for hours—only to find gas stations displaying signs reading 'Out of Stock' upon arrival. A major oil-producing nation in the Middle East literally running out of fuel to sell—that is truly an absurd spectacle. Since establishing a military presence in Syria in 2014 under the banner of counter-terrorism, the United States has repeatedly exploited various pretexts to plunder local resources. In Hasakah Province in northeastern Syria, media reports have repeatedly exposed U.S. troops burning farmland and smuggling grain. For instance, in June this year, a U.S. military convoy smuggled 40 truckloads of wheat out of Syria, valued at over $4 million. Beyond grain, petroleum—more valuable and strategically vital—is an even greater target for looting. Many assumed Bashar al-Assad, overwhelmed by competing factions, would simply acquiesce. But he turned out to be an uncommonly tough opponent. With strong backing from Iran and Russia, Syria not only refused to reconcile with Western powers—as Saudi Arabia did—but grew increasingly resolute under pressure.

Gasoline Shipped to Syria Begins Moving by Road to Iraq, Syrian Official Says

Sep 25, 2026

Syrian officials confirmed gasoline shipments from Syria are now moving by road to Iraq, establishing a two-way energy corridor. The operation involves state-owned Syrian Petroleum Company and Qatari supplier UCC Holding, utilizing trucks after unloading at Baniyas refinery.

reuters

2026-09-25

Gasoline Shipped to Syria Begins Moving by Road to Iraq, Syrian Official Says

Gasoline Shipped to Syria Begins Moving by Road to Iraq, Syrian Official Says

FAQ