ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE
The US is planning to keep control of oil fields on the eastern bank of the Euphrates despite the ongoing troops withdrawal.
On October 21, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper told reporters that Washington wants to be sure that ensure oil fields do not fall into the hands of ISIS or other militants.
According to media reports, the number of US troops remaining in the Omar oil fields area will be 200. Taking into account the US Air Force, this number should be enough to remain in the area.
However, it remains unclear how Washington is planning to exploit the seized oilfields when forces of the ‘bloody Assad regime’ deploy all around the US garrison. Most likely, the oil fields will become another bargaining chip in Washington’s Syrian strategy.
Click to see the full-size image
