Press TV – Oct 13, 2020
A US military convoy makes a stop in the western countryside of the northeastern Syrian town of al-Malikiyah, as it patrols Kurdish towns near the border with Turkey, on June 7, 2020. Click to enlarge
The United States has reportedly started building a new military base in Syria’s oil-rich eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr as Washington moves to tighten its grip on the country’s energy resources.
The Arabic service of Russia’s Sputnik news agency, citing local sources, reported the military base was being built in Syria’s vast Badia desert, and that construction equipment had been put into action there a few days ago.
The sources added that workers had begun building an airstrip at the location in order to secure the arrival of logistical supplies for the base.
They noted that the US army had also deployed groups of allied militants with the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) at a number of points around the base in order to protect the site.
The new base will apparently be the US military’s fourth in Dayr al-Zawr.
American troops are specifically stationed near oil and gas fields in the area, namely al-Omar oilfield — Syria’s largest — on the eastern bank of the Euphrates, the Conoco gas field and plant as well as the al-Jazrat area in the western countryside of Dayr al-Zawr.
US President Donald Trump has openly said on several occasions that the American military presence in Syria was “only for the oil,” contradicting his own officials who have said the remaining forces were there to “fight terrorism.”
The practice of seizing or taking advantage of oil resources in a foreign country, without the consent of the sovereign authority, amounts to a violation of international law.
US troops, allied militants raid homes
In another development on Monday, US troops and SDF militants carried out a campaign of raids on local homes in the towns of Diban, al-Hawaij, al-Busayrah and al-Shuhayl, arresting dozens of civilians.
Informed sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Sputnik that the number of the detainees stood at more than 50 people.
Security conditions have been deteriorating in SDF-controlled areas in Hasakah, Dayr al-Zawr and Raqqah provinces.
Local Syrians complain that the SDF’s constant raids have generated a state of frustration and instability, severely affecting their businesses and livelihood.
Residents accuse the US-sponsored militants of stealing crude oil and refusing to spend money on the services sector.
Local councils affiliated with the SDF also stand accused of financial corruption.
It’s looting pure and simple. America has also received two large ships carrying over 1.4m barrels of oil stolen while on its way to Venezuela from Iran in an act of high-seas piracy.
There is no honour left in any of the actions of the United States. It is a rogue nation whose elite became a mafia because they could.
America will get its just desserts
the military base is being built up like the one in iraq, they want any killing of US soldiers to be clean and clinical when they attack iran
Americas only freind in the world is the UK and many UK soldiers are sayig no more wars for israel
Sad isn’t it when the supposed great nation can’t take Venezuela, can’t take South China sea oil and is carrying the dead weight of the Saudis and Israel on its back.
Being reduced to a petty thief says it all. The oil will be going back to Syria one way or another in time this is assured. Not hard to send a few missiles into a yank base this we also know but first the Golan Heights must be taken back to send a clear message to the Genie the game is up.
Yes, the thought crossed my mind that this base (and its American troops) will serve as yet another target for Iranian (?) missiles. And then the American president who suddenly becomes a doctor can give a diagnosis that the troops suffered concussions, nothing more.
Another illegal and immoral occupation by the Jewnited States. Utterly shameful. Those thieving, pillaging, murdering scum need to be blown to bits….then airdrop what’s left of their corpses into Tel Aviv.