Russia seeks UN condemnation of Syrian oil sales by terrorist groups

Russia has asked the United Nations Security Council to condemn the sale of Syrian oil by terrorist groups, including ISIS and Al-Nusra Front, diplomats reported.

A draft presidential statement expresses “grave concern” at the “seizure of oil fields in Syria by terrorist groups”, especially ISIS and the Al-Nusra Front.

“As for the sales of Iraqi oil, Syrian oil from the territories seized by the opposition, these territories are dominated by extremists, including some areas in certain countries that are controlled by outright terrorist groups. So any oil exports from these regions run a serious risk of de facto financing terrorism,” Russia’s UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said.

The draft statement encourages all member states to take all necessary measures to prevent their citizens from involving themselves in such deals.

The Security Council’s 15 member states will meet to discuss the draft statement during the week.

Russia held the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council until today when the presidency was handed to Rwanda.