Syria/Kurdistan: US-Backed Kurdish Forces Benefiting from Oil in Syria

Jul 20, 2016 | Sirwan Kajjo, Voice of America
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When Kurdish-led forces took control of Shaddadi in northeastern Syria in February, they not only pushed back Islamic State militants who had been there for nearly one year, but they also got hold of the sprawling oil fields that stretch into the desert. The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces are primarily commanded by the Kurds. Their advances against IS have given the Kurds an opportunity to take charge of their local affairs, including oil production.