Terrorists continue smuggling oil to Turkey: Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the flow of oil smuggled by ISIL Takfiri terrorists across the Syrian-Turkish border is continuing despite attacks on the terror group’s infrastructure, and the UN Security Council’s ban on the illegal trade.

"After our Aerospace Forces initiated the operation to terminate the illegal traffic, particularly of oil and oil products, from Syria … to Turkey, this traffic has decreased substantially," Lavrov said on Wednesday.

He made the remarks during a meeting with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who visited Moscow to discuss Syria and other issues with Russian leaders.

"We insist on compliance with UN Security Council resolutions demanding to stop trade with ISIL and other terrorists just as resolutions demanding an end to the flow of foreign terrorists, gunmen via Turkish territory to Syria," Lavrov added.

Moscow has repeatedly said it has evidence showing Turkey was involved in the smuggling of oil from areas held by ISIL in Iraq and Syria. Ankara has strongly rejected the allegation.

Last December, the Security Council adopted a resolution aimed at clogging up the revenue stream of Takfiri terrorists. It threatened sanctions on parties buying oil from the terrorist group, and advised that countries resist its demands for ransom payments.

SS