Trump ‘approves expanded military mission’ to
loot Syria’s oil fields
Decision raises legal questions about whether
American troops can attack Syrian or Russian forces
threatening(liberating) the
oil
By Samuel Osborne
November 06, 2019 "Information
Clearing House"
- Donald Trump has reportedly approved an expanded
US military mission to secure an expanse of oil
fields across eastern Syria.
The US president’s actions raise a number of legal
questions about whether American troops can launch
attacks against Syrian, Russian or other forces if
they threaten (liberate) the
oil.
After meeting with defence leaders on Friday, Mr
Trump decided to commit US troops to
defending(occupy)
a large swath of land controlled by Syrian Kurdish
fighters stretching from Deir Ezzor to al-Hassakeh,
officials told the Associated Press.
The decision commits hundreds of US troops to Syria,
despite Mr Trump’s promise to get the bulk of the
more than 1,200 American soldiers out of the
country.
It could also force lawyers in the Pentagon to craft
orders for troops which could see them firing on
Syrian government of Russian fighters if they try to
take back the country’s oil facilities.
Senator Tim
Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, called the mission
misguided.
“Risking the lives of our troops to guard oil
rigs in eastern Syria is not only reckless, it’s not
legally authorised,” Mr Kaine said.
“President Trump betrayed our Kurdish allies that
have fought alongside American soldiers in the fight
to secure a future without
Isis – and instead moved our troops to protect
oil rigs.”
The Pentagon has not disclosed how many forces
will remain in Syria.
But officials speaking to the Associated Press
suggested the total number could be at least 800
troops.
General Barry Mccaffrey says Trump ‘looks
stupid’ after saying Kurds ‘happy’ with
situation in Syria
Lawyers are trying to work out details of the
military order, officials told the news agency,
which would make clear how far troops will be able
to go to keep the oil under the Kurds’ control.
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They said the order approved by Mr
Trump does not include any mandate for
the US to take Syria’s oil.
Mr Trump has said multiple times the US is
“keeping the oil,” but the White House and the
Pentagon have so far been unable to explain what he
means by that.
On Friday, Mark Esper, the US defence secretary,
said he “interprets” Mr Trump’s remarks to mean the
military should deny Isis access to the oil fields.
US-backed Syrian Kurdish forces currently control
the oil, supported by a small contingent of US
troops.
A quiet arrangement has existed between the Kurds
and the Syrian government, which sees Damascus
buying the surplus through middlemen.
Syrian president
Bashar al-Assad praises Donald Trump’s
‘transparency’
“He’s the best American president,” Mr Assad told
NBC News from Damascus. ”Not because his policies
are good, but because he’s the most transparent
president.”
This article was originally published by "The
Independent" --
Ed Note.
We have replaced some words, which we think more
accurately reflect the reality of the situation, in
the following manner. Example - threaten
(liberate)
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