The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Despite SDF’s security campaigns | Transport of goods and smuggling continue between SDF-held areas and regime-controlled areas via water crossings linking the two banks of the Euphrates

The transport of various goods continues between the two banks of the Euphrates River in Deir ez-Zor countryside, between between the SDF-held areas and regime-controlled areas. Wheat, barley, maize, flour, oil, diesel, gas and iron scrap are being transported from the SDF-held areas to regime-controlled areas, while some food and building materials such as iron and cement are transported to SDF-held from regime-controlled areas.

The transfer is carried out by home-made river ferries with a capacity of between three and ten tons. The sale and purchase of goods in the SDF-held areas take place under the supervision of traders linked directly to traders with close ties to regime forces such as Al-Qatirji. Meanwhile, persons from the region’s clans supervise the operations of the crossings from the east, while most of the crossings at the western side are under the control of the Fourth Division.

These operations continue despite the repeated SDF’s security campaigns, but those responsible for these crossings have managed to form a huge network of relationships that have ensured their continued presence and work, where constant bribes are being paid to the regime forces, SDF and the Islamic State cells.

In mid-October, SOHR sources said that the company of the pro-regime businessman “Al-Qaterji” continues exporting oil, under Russian protection, to regime-controlled areas in return for allowing food to be entered SDF-held areas. Trucks and oil tanker trucks are seen traveling through Al-Tayeh crossing in rural Manbij in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, Al-Tabaqah and Al-Hourah crossings in rural Al-Tabaqah in Al-Raqqah, and Al-Ma’amel crossing in rural Deir Ezzor.

Tens of oil trucks transport crude oil daily from the fields of Al-Omar, Koneko, Al-Shaddadi, Al-Jabsah, Tal Hamis, Al-Rumaylan, Jawadiyyah and Al-Qahtaniyyah, which are under the control of Syria Democratic Forces to regime-controlled areas, despite the valid US sanctions imposed on the Syrian regime.

Meanwhile, many substances, products and goods, including vegetables, fruit, cement, steel, and electric appliances, are exported from regime-controlled areas to SDF-held areas. Furthermore, SDF add customs tariffs on these goods’ value.

It is worth noting that the regime-controlled areas suffer from acute shortage of fuel and oil products in the wake of international sanctions imposed on the Syrian regime for years.