The Syrian regime denounced an agreement concluded between what are known as the Syrian Democratic Forces and an American oil company regarding the exploitation of oil wells in northeastern Syria.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said that Syria condemns in the strongest terms this agreement and considers it "null and void."
The ministry added that the agreement "is considered theft between thieves stealing and thieves buying", and considered it an attack on Syrian sovereignty.
Neither the Syrian Democratic Forces - which mainly consist of the Kurds and is supported by the United States - nor the Kurdish self-administration announced the conclusion of this agreement, but officials in Washington spoke of an agreement to "develop oil fields" without mentioning the name of the American company or providing more details.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham - known for his close relationship with Kurdish leaders in Syria - said last Thursday at a congressional hearing that he had spoken the previous day about the deal with the commander-in-chief of the SDF.
He continued, "It appears that they have signed a deal with an American oil company to develop oil fields in northeastern Syria."
Asked by Graham if the United States supported the agreement, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, "Yes, we are."
"The deal took a little longer than we had hoped for, and we are now in the implementation phase," Pompeo said, adding that "it could be very strong."
Syria's oil production before the outbreak of the war amounted to about 400,000 barrels per day, but the oil sector suffered significant losses, and the majority of the oil and gas fields are still under the control of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces in the north and east of the country.