Security Council

7226^th Meeting (AM)

Security Council Voices Grave Concern over Reported Seizure of Oilfields

 

by Terrorist Groups Operating in Syria, Iraq

 

The Security Council today stressed the obligation of all States to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism, and expressed its grave concern over reports of access to and seizure of oilfields and pipelines in Syria and Iraq.

In a statement read out by Council President Eugène-Richard Gasana (Rwanda), States were specifically reminded that they must ensure that no one in their territory engage in any commercial or financial transactions with or for the benefit of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and Jabhat Al-Nusra, notably with respect to oil in Syria and Iraq.

The 15-member body emphasized that such engagement constituted financial support for terrorists and might lead to further sanctions listings.  It noted with concern that any oilfields and related infrastructure controlled by terrorist groups could generate material income in support of their recruitment efforts and the strengthening of their operational capacity to attack.

The Council began the meeting at 10:05 a.m. and adjourned it at 10:10 a.m.

Presidential Statement

The text of Security Council presidential statement S/PRST/2014/14 reads as follows:

“The Security Council recalls its resolutions 1267 (1999), 1373 (2001), 1989 (2011), 2129 (2013), 2133 (2014), and 2161 (2014), stresses the obligation of the Member States to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorist acts, and expresses grave concern over the reports of the access to and seizure of oilfields and pipelines in Syria and Iraq by terrorist groups listed by the Security Council 1267/1989 Committee, namely ‘Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant’ and ‘Jabhat Al-Nusra’, and underscores in this regard that any trade of oil with these entities would be inconsistent with the Council’s resolutions and that all States are required to ensure that their nationals and any persons within their territory do not trade in oil with these entities.

“The Security Council reaffirms its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria and Iraq, and in this regard, strongly condemns any engagement in direct or indirect trade of oil from Syria and Iraq involving terrorist groups.  The Security Council also emphasizes that such engagement constitutes financial support for terrorists and may lead to further sanctions listings if those groups are listed by the Security Council 1267/1989 Sanctions Committee as associated with Al-Qaida.

“The Security Council notes with concern that any oilfields and related infrastructure controlled by terrorist organizations could generate material income for terrorists, which would support their recruitment efforts, including of foreign terrorist fighters, and strengthen their operational capability to organize and carry out terrorist attacks.

“The Security Council reminds all States that they are required to ensure that their nationals and any persons within their territory not engage in any commercial or financial transactions with or for the benefit, directly or indirectly, of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and Jabhat Al-Nusra, notably with respect to oil in Syria and Iraq.

“The Security Council also emphasizes the importance of all Member States upholding their obligation to ensure that their nationals and persons within their territory do not make donations to individuals and entities designated by the Security Council 1267/1989 Committee.

“The Security Council calls upon all Member States, should any information on such activities be available to them, to bring it to the notice of the 1267/1989 Sanctions Committee and cooperate closely with the Security Council in this regard.”

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For information media • not an official record