Syrian army takes control of oil fields, Macron calls for peace

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed concern on Sunday about the Syrian government's ongoing offensive against Western-backed Kurdish forces. In a phone call with Syrian President Ahmad al-Assad, he stressed that neither France nor the EU could support further violence.

Macron called for an immediate ceasefire and agreement between the parties, saying that the stability and unity of Syria depended on it.

Syrian government forces, supported by Arab tribes, have meanwhile occupied the strategic Omar oil field and the Conoco gas field in the eastern province of Deir ez-Zor, which were an important source of income for the Syrian Democratic Forces.

The army also occupied territory along the eastern bank of the Euphrates and the cities of Tabqa, al-Shuhail, and Busayrah. The West, including the US, called on Damascus to halt its operations. Kurdish authorities have not yet commented on the loss of territory.

(reuters, max)