Surprise Export: The Assad regime is broke, thanks to Syria’s economy being battered by a decade-long war and strict Western sanctions. For Assad’s regime, it’s a smart way to earn critical revenue, while keeping loyalists who engage in the trade happy. To claw back some cash, they’re leaning on already traumatized Syrian refugees. Meanwhile, Qaterji has shown his worth by buying wheat from ISIS-controlled territories to feed Syrians under the Assad regime. All the while, the Assad regime believes the oil and gas belongs to it, and it alone.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 27, 2021 00:11 UTC