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Syrian Kurds OK US-led oil mission

The commander of the Pentagon-backed Syrian Democratic Forces has signed off to help the Donald Trump administration protect the war-torn country’s oil fields, even amid an ongoing Turkish incursion the group has lobbied the United States to stop.
American soldiers stand near military trucks, at al-Omar oil field in Deir Al Zor, Syria March 23, 2019. REUTERS/Rodi Said - RC168E86AEF0

The commander of the Pentagon-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) signed off on a plan to help the Donald Trump administration protect Syria’s oil fields, despite an ongoing Turkish incursion the group has lobbied the United States to stop.

In a tweet sent on Wednesday afternoon, SDF chief Gen. Mazlum Kobane confirmed the group is “resuming its joint program of work with the coalition to combat [the Islamic State (IS)] and securing the infrastructure of [northeast] Syria.”

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