AFP on Saturday reported that Kurdish-led authorities in northeastern Syria have resumed oil shipments to government-held areas for the first time since Bashar al-Assad's overthrow. According to Syrian oil ministry spokesman Ahmed Suleiman, the renewed agreement involves delivering 150,000 barrels of crude oil and one million cubic meters of gas per day.

Suleiman stated that the previous contracts under Assad were "very unfair" and have now been "adjusted to align with the interests of the Syrian people." However, he did not provide specific details on how the agreements were modified. 

The oil is sourced from fields in the resource-rich provinces of Hasakeh and Deir el-Zor, which have been under Kurdish administration since the early 2010s. The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) control much of these areas.

However, the situation remains complex as Turkey-backed forces continue to target SDF positions in northern Syria. Turkey considers the People's Protection Units (YPG), the SDF's main component, as affiliated with the PKK, which Ankara regards as a terrorist organization responsible for a decades-long insurgency in Turkey.

Iraq-Turkey pipeline set to restart

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The resumption of oil shipments in Syria coincides with Iraq's preparations to restart oil exports via the Iraq-Turkey pipeline, which had been halted due to disputes between Baghdad and Erbil. The renewed exports are expected to stabilize regional oil markets and enhance Iraq's crude export capacity, potentially influencing global oil prices.

As part of Trump's renewed "maximum pressure" campaign aimed at reducing Iranian oil exports to zero, the US is reportedly pressuring Iraq to allow Kurdish oil exports, allegedly threatening sanctions similar to those on Iran. US officials argue that facilitating Kurdish oil exports would offset the loss of Iranian supply and prevent a shock in global oil prices.

However, Iraqi officials have denied any pressure or sanctions threat, stating that the decision to restart exports is based on national interests.

SDF's Position

The resumption of oil deliveries by Kurdish authorities in Syria coincides with ongoing negotiations between the SDF and Syria's interim government about the potential integration of Kurdish autonomous territories into a unified Syrian state.

A recent report by the Financial Times revealed that the SDF is engaged in talks to secure equal rights for Syria's Kurds, the recognition of Kurdish as an official second language, and a proportional allocation of oil revenues to the northeast. However, the SDF's demand to retain a distinct military force in the northeast remains a contentious issue, as Damascus insists on full integration to promote national unity.

Meanwhile, Turkey continues its attacks on SDF positions, aiming to curb Kurdish autonomy. Syria's new leadership, closely aligned with Ankara, has called on all armed groups, including the SDF, to disarm and rejected Kurdish self-governance. Turkey has also threatened a military offensive if negotiations fail, with support from Arab tribes reportedly backing such an operation.

Read more: Syrian MoD open to talks with Kurds, threatens action if talks fail