Intensification of US Attacks on ISIS Oil Infrastructure

The US Department of Defense, Pentagon, announced on Monday, November 23, new attacks on targets belonging to the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria and Iraq, destroying an oil storage facility of the group and 283 of their vehicles. American sources state that the illegal transfer and trade of oil accounts for about half of ISIS's revenue, and these attacks are aimed at cutting off ISIS's financial resources. Reports indicate that the 283 vehicles destroyed by US airstrikes in Deir ez-Zor and Hasakah were primarily used for transporting oil from oil fields in eastern Syria to smuggling hubs. The destruction of these vehicles follows the US Air Force's announcement on November 15 that it had successfully destroyed 116 ISIS oil tankers in its bombings. Russia also reported on Wednesday, November 18, that its warplanes were 'hunting' ISIS oil trucks and destroying them, with Moscow releasing videos related to these attacks. The Islamic State group has taken control of almost all oil fields in Syria, concentrated in the east of the country, producing about 30,000 barrels of oil per day; the group also controls some oil fields in Iraq. Most of ISIS's oil sales are made to Turkey at below market prices, generating approximately $50 million in revenue monthly for the group. Other attacks on ISIS positions in Syria and Iraq were also mentioned in the Pentagon statement, indicating that on Sunday, 19 attacks were carried out against ISIS positions near 14 cities in Syria, including 4 attacks near Hasakah and 4 near Ain Issa. According to the statement, simultaneously, coalition forces attacked ISIS positions around 11 cities in Iraq, including 5 attacks near the city of Ramadi in the west of the country and three attacks around Fallujah, destroying tactical units and explosive traps of the group. On Saturday, 9 attacks were also carried out against ISIS positions in Syria. Meanwhile, Reuters reports that the French aircraft carrier 'Charles de Gaulle', which has entered the eastern Mediterranean, began its air operations against ISIS positions on Monday. The French Ministry of Defense had previously announced that the carrier's combat operations would begin on Monday, with initial reports indicating that two ISIS positions were targeted by the carrier's fighter jets.