6. Syria
Syria’s oil fields have been pivotal in the civil war, with various factions and external forces seizing and bartering control. The Islamic State (ISIS) captured major fields like Al-Omar and Al-Tanak, generating significant revenue through illicit sales. Following ISIS’s defeat, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), backed by the U.S., took control of most oil-rich areas in eastern Syria. This situation mirrors Iraq’s resource competition, where control over oil has been a central issue in the conflict (english.aawsat.com).
