The German government has accused the Bashar al-Assad regime of buying oil from the Islamic state organization, which Damascus had previously designated as its enemy.
German Foreign Ministry deputy spokeswoman Sawsan Chebli told a news conference in Berlin on Tuesday that there was evidence of oil transactions between the Assad regime and Islamic state.
Asked about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claim that Turkey was buying oil from Islamic state, Chebli said that German authorities have no information supporting these particular claims.
"But what we know for example is that the Assad regime has received large amounts of oil from Islamic state. We have evidence; we have indications showing that this is the case," she added.
German government spokesman Steffen Seibert also criticized accusations directed at Turkey, saying there was no serious evidence indicating Turkey was tolerating or actively supporting such oil purchases with Islamic state.
"We do not see such accusations without any evidence as helpful. We believe that the international community should focus strengthening the fight against IS, and refrain from everything that can strengthen IS," he stressed, using an alternative acronym for the terrorist group.
Following the downing of a Russian warplane that violated Turkey’s airspace near the Syrian border on November 24, Russia announced sanctions against Turkey and President Vladimir Putin has alleged Turkish involvement in oil purchases from IS.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has challenged Putin and said he will step down if Russian claims that Turkey buys oil from IS are proved. He called on Putin to do the same if they are not.
