US keeps patrolling around Syrian oil fields

By Mohamad Misto and Esref Musa

HASAKAH/ANKARA (AA) - The U.S. army personnel maintain its patrolling activities around oil field areas in northern Syria, which is currently under the occupation of the YPG/PKK terror group, local sources said on Monday.

A convoy -- including armed vehicles, pick-up trucks and minibuses -- were observed patrolling the 40-km (29-mile) line around Qahtaniyyah town and Rumaylan district, located 6-km (3.7 miles) from Turkish border.

According to local sources, the convoy held reconnaissance activities to determine the fresh military checkpoints the U.S. army plans to build near the oil-rich region.

Due to Turkey’s counter-terrorism operation in northern Syria, the U.S. army had halted patrolling activities in Al-Hasakah province of northeastern Syria but relaunched them as of Nov. 1.

The Pentagon has an airbase in Rumaylan, where over 100 soldiers are currently deployed.

- Turkish operation in northern Syria

Turkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate YPG/PKK terrorists from northern Syria in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

On Oct. 22, Turkey reached an agreement with Russia on a 10-point plan to force the terrorist YPG/PKK to withdraw from a planned terror-free zone.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG/PKK is its Syrian offshoot.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas