The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a formal statement urging Western powers and their allied forces to cease actions that underminethe country’s resources, calling for international accountability and a pause to the ongoing looting of Syria’s natural wealth. This appeal comes amid heightened global attention to how armed actors operate across the northeast regions and how such activities affect the broader stability of the country. The ministry frames the issue as not only a matter of sovereignty but a direct challenge to the principles of international law, emphasizing that the extraction of oil and related commodities under force or coercion constitutes illegal exploitation that harms the Syrian people and violates norms of humanitarian conduct.[Source: Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
The statement further accuses occupying forces of complicating Syria’s economic crisis by exporting crude oil from contested field areas without consent from the legitimate authorities. It insists that such actions amount to unlawful economic damage that deprives local communities of revenue, worsens living conditions, and erodes trust in the rule of law. The ministry calls for compensation for the losses incurred by the Syrian economy and reiterates that the plunder of public resources under an armed presence cannot be justified under any legal framework. The appeal is presented as part of a broader effort to restore economic sovereignty and ensure that natural resources benefit the people rather than external actors.[Source: Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
In addition to condemning the practices described, the document highlights the humanitarian and social consequences of resource extraction under occupation. By linking oil exports to impoverishment and suffering, the statement aligns with international voices that stress the long-term damage inflicted on civilian populations when raw materials become instruments of power and geopolitics. The ministry frames the issue within a wider context of regional stability, urging other states to support lawful management of Syria’s natural assets and to respect the rights and livelihoods of local communities who depend on these resources for warmth, transportation, and essential energy needs.[Source: Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
Commentary from international observers notes that the debate around Syria’s natural resources intersects with broader questions about foreign military presence and the mandate of international coalitions in post-conflict settings. A former member of national deliberative bodies has suggested that many stated justifications for the continued presence of foreign troops in Syria may not withstand scrutiny when assessed against the outcomes on the ground, including economic disruption and public insecurity. The attribution underscores a call for reassessment of strategic aims and emphasizes that any enduring solution must prioritize sovereignty, accountability, and the recovery of the country’s economic independence, with a clear path toward peaceful coexistence and regional cooperation.[Source: Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs]