Iraq/Syria: Scotland Leads Calls for Crackdown on Trade in Smuggled Oil by Islamic State

Sep 7, 2014 | Herald Scotland
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Scotland is leading calls for an EU-led crackdown on the illicit trade in black market oil fuelling the march of the terror group Islamic State through the Middle East.

The Sunni militia is believed to be earning up to £1.8 million a day from the rich energy resources that have fallen into its hands as its fundamentalist caliphate has spread from Syria into northern Iraq.

Now Alyn Smith, the only Scot on the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee, is seeking action to stop "conflict oil", which sells for as little as £7 to £8 a barrel compared to market prices of around £60, being smuggled into Europe through Turkey.