File image.
On December 31, ISIS terrorist set the Da’as oil well, which is held by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), on fire.
The oil well, which is being run by local investors, is located near the town of al-Huraiji in the northern countryside of Deir Ezzor.
ISIS news agency, Amaq, shared footage showing a masked terrorist standing in front of the burning well. The terrorist, who is likely a senior commander of ISIS, vowed that the group will step up their operations against the SDF in the upcoming few days.
تنظيم الدولة داعش يتبنى عملية أحراق آبار النفط في الحريجي شمال ديرالزور.
التنظيم نشر فيديو مسجَّل لعملية حرق بئر دعاس في بادية بلدة #الحريجي امس، الصور من الفيديو. pic.twitter.com/W32NXCYRUp— همام عيسى (@humam_isa) January 1, 2022
A source in the SDF told the North Press Agency that ISIS terrorists contacted the investors of the well days before the attack via the WhatsApp messaging app. The terrorist promised not to attack the well if they are paid a “tax” of $15,000.
The investors, who believed that the SDF will protect the well, refused to pay. However, the group and the its main backer, the US-led coalition, failed to take action.
ISIS cells in northeastern Syria use extortion as a mean to finance their operations against the SDF. Oil traffickers and local businessmen are among the preferred targets of the terrorist group.
The attack on the Da’as oil well highlights the deteriorating security situation in northeastern Syria. The SDF and the US-led coalition are not making real efforts to counter the terrorist group’s growing influence in the region, especially in Deir Ezzor.
