STORY: U.S.-led oil smuggling, sanctions cripple Syrian economy: official
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: June 3, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:59
LOCATION: Damascus
CATEGORY: POLITICS/ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Farhat Jameel Abdullah
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): FARHAT JAMEEL ABDULLAH, Syrian assistant minister of oil and mineral wealth
3. various of fuel tankers in the northeastern province of Al-Hasakah
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): FARHAT JAMEEL ABDULLAH, Syrian assistant minister of oil and mineral wealth
5. various of fuel tankers in the northeastern province of Al-Hasakah
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): FARHAT JAMEEL ABDULLAH, Syrian assistant minister of oil and mineral wealth
7. various of a primitive oil refinery in the northeastern province of Al-Hasakah
8. SOUNDBITE 4 (Arabic): FARHAT JAMEEL ABDULLAH, Syrian assistant minister of oil and mineral wealth

STORYLINE:

Farhat Jameel Abdullah, Syrian assistant minister of oil and mineral wealth, has raised alarms about how the American occupation and the oil theft by its allied militia, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), harm the Syrian economy.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Abdullah noted that oil and gas are a primary source of revenue for Syria, with production from east of the oil-rich Euphrates River at about 350,000 barrels per day.
   
Now, the region is under the control of the United States and SDF militia.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): FARHAT JAMEEL ABDULLAH, Syrian assistant minister of oil and mineral wealth
"The presence of the American occupation forces, the SDF, and other terrorist groups greatly contribute to depriving the Syrian government of the country's resources and significantly affect the national economy, denying the Syrian people the benefits of these riches. Most sectors suffer from this occupation. Additionally, the American occupation and their support for separatist groups have led to the unjust extraction of oil from wells and reservoirs, which will negatively impact the future productivity of these resources and consequently deprive the country of this wealth."

The Syrian official added that economic sanctions by the U.S. and its Western allies have greatly hindered development in the country.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): FARHAT JAMEEL ABDULLAH, Syrian assistant minister of oil and mineral wealth
"The ban and sanctions imposed by Western countries deprived us of seven exploration companies that were operating in the country before the crisis. This negatively affects the enhancement of the geological reserve of oil and gas, negatively impacts oil and gas production, deprives the country of major investment opportunities, increases the unemployment rate, and has a significant impact on citizens and the basic services that the state used to provide to citizens in 2010 and before."

Abdulla said losses in the oil and gas sector have amounted to about 120 billion U.S. dollars.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): FARHAT JAMEEL ABDULLAH, Syrian assistant minister of oil and mineral wealth
"Once a self-sufficient producer of oil and gas, capable of meeting the country's needs for oil derivatives, we now find ourselves forced to import these resources and explore alternative methods to secure them for our citizens. Furthermore, the health sector, education sector, basic services, and other related sectors have all been significantly affected. The issues of sanctions and occupation have greatly impacted the lives of Syrian citizens."
   
Abdullah said the ministry is exploring alternative strategies to secure oil production and reduce the adverse effects on various economic sectors.

SOUNDBITE 4 (Arabic): FARHAT JAMEEL ABDULLAH, Syrian assistant minister of oil and mineral wealth
"The ministry has been thinking about the area west of the Euphrates River and has directed work requirements and action plans towards investing in these areas. So some gas discoveries have been made, including two new fields. Efforts are being made to use modern technologies to enhance production from these fields, and cooperation with friendly countries has increased to secure work requirements."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Damascus.
(XHTV)