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What America was vying for, has been taken away by Russia, as Syria
has chosen two Russian companies to undertake their oil exploration contract.
Syria is one of the richest sources of oil in the world. According to Agence France Presse (AFP)
reports, before the civil war, Syria produced around 380,000 barrels of oil per day. Post the war, oil production collapsed.
The Russian companies have been identified as Mercury LLC and Velada
LLC. According to new sources, the Syrian oil minister Ali Ghanem has said
that the contract is solely to ensure Syria can maintain good relations with
‘friendly nations’.
The deals will cover exploration and production in three blocs including
an oilfield in northeast Syria and a gas field north of the capital Damascus.
Sources confirm that while the contract was signed in a parliament session, it had been agreed upon a year ago. Undeniably, an American loss is looking at a
Russian gain. Shunned by Western powers, it seems the Syrian President Bashar
Assad felt he could turn to allies like Russia and Iran to play a role in rebuilding the war-torn nation. This became more evident after Russia and
Iran helped Syria’s army reclaim most of the country. This has become more
evident after America pulled off its troops from Northern Syria, leaving the
Kurdish forces to fend for them.
Oil fields have largely been in the hands of Kurdish fighters who
seized swathes of north and east Syria from Daesh with US help. But the
control has become a frenzy after Turkey stepped in eyeing not all the area
as Safe Zone but also (indirectly) looking to get a piece of the oil pie. According
to Syrian local media, Ghanem has confirmed that the oil ministry would seek
to sign offshore contracts for oil investment which has been hindered by
economic sanctions too.
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Israeli settlers have once again attacked religious minorities in the region, this time targeting a church in East Jerusalem.
According to reports, the settlers assaulted clerics and worshippers at the Church of the Sepulchre of Saint Charbel, causing damage to the property and injuring several people. This kind of behavior is not only unacceptable but also undermines efforts to promote peace and stability in the region. Attacks on religious minorities are a direct attack on religious freedom and must be condemned by all. The Israeli authorities must take swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice and hold them accountable for their actions. It is also important to ensure the safety and protection of religious minorities and their places of worship, as guaranteed by international law. this incident is a sad reminder of the ongoing conflict in the region and the need for a comprehensive and just solution. It is up to all of us to work together to promote understanding, tolerance, and respect for different beliefs and cultures, and to build a brighter and more peaceful future for all.
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