Al-Qamishli | Regime checkpoints prevent hundreds of Al-Qatirji tanks from heading to SDF-held areas to fill up with oil

SOHR activists in regime-held areas in al-Qamishli, say that regime forces continue to prevent hundreds of tanks from exiting areas under their control in al-Qamishli towards the SDF-held areas, where about 600 oil tanks belonging to the company of “Al-Qatirji” are still parked at a military security checkpoint near Zori roundabout at the southern entrance to Qamishli, for 20 days ago.

These tanks are supposed to cross towards Rmilan to be filled up with oil and then head to various Syria areas as usual, but the regime prevents them from doing so for unknown reasons.

On January 20, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitored widespread popular discontent and anger in the Syrian regime-held areas, following the explosion and burning of more than 10 oil tanks belonging to “Al-Qaterji” company. The trucks exploded yesterday near a reservoir in front of the Syria Gas Company (SGC) in Homs, which led to outbreak of fires and caused substantial material damage.

According to Syrian Observatory sources, the widespread popular discontent was coincided with accusations of fabricating these explosions by traders in order to steal the oil and deprive civilians from it, as all areas controlled by the regime are suffering from a severe fuel crisis. It is worth noting that a similar incident occurred in the area years ago.

Yesterday, SOHR sources confirmed that the number of oil trucks affiliated to “Al-Qaterji” company which exploded near a reservoir in front of the Syria Gas Company (SGC) in Homs exceeded ten. The explosions led to outbreak of fires and caused substantial material damage.

It is worth noting that Al-Qaterji company transport crud oil from SDF-held areas to regime-controlled areas. The company’s oil trucks usually take roads pass through the Syrian desert where they are sometimes attacked by ISIS cells.