Russia slams US move to Syrian oil fields

Russia’s defence ministry yesterday criticised the US decision to send armoured vehicles and combat troops into eastern Syria to protect oil fields.

The US says the move is aimed at keeping the fields from potentially falling into the hands of Isil militants — which Trump has said the US had already defeated.

A US convoy, arrived from Iraq, with more than a dozen vehicles and was seen yesterday driving towards the oil-rich Deir el-Zour area.

Russian defence ministry spokesman said “what Washington is doing now, the seizure and control of oil fields in eastern Syria under its armed control, is, quite simply, international state banditry”.

Earlier this month, Trump ordered US troops out of north-east Syria, largely turning his back on Syrian Kurds who battled Isil alongside the US-led coalition since 2015.

Trump said he will leave up to 300 troops in southern Syria. US defense secretary Mark Esper said another residual force is being considered in south-eastern Syria to protect oil fields.