Rebels in Syria Claim Control of Resources

-          Islamist rebels and extremist groups have seized control of most of Syria’s oil and gas resources

-          The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is selling fuel to the Assad government

-          Although there is no clear evidence of direct tactical coordination between the group and Mr. Assad, American officials say that his government has facilitated the group’s rise.

-          The scramble for Syria’s oil is describes as a war within the broader civil war turning in the source of income into a conflict tearing the country apart

-          Syria was once an important supplier of oil to Europe and attracted international oil companies

-          The oil industry production is down from 400,000 (2011) barrels to 80,000 (2013)barrels a day

-          Violence has damaged pipelines and other infrastructure

-          Mr. Assad’s government not only purchased crude from the ISIS but in return has refrained from bombing the group’s headquarters in Raqqa and elsewhere although their locations are well known and clearly marked

-          While rebel oil revenues are small by world market standards they can help groups exercise local power as well as finance their operations

-          Recently most of the area’s rebel brigades have left the administration of the well to an Islamic legal commission set up to run local affairs