A US convoy of military vehicles drove south of Qamishli heading towards the oil fields in Deir el-Zour.[285][286] The SOHR also reported the convoy when it earlier arrived from Iraq.[285] Major General Igor Konashenkov, the Russian Defense Ministry spokesman, characterized the US actions to send armored vehicles and combat troops to protect the oil in eastern Syria as 'banditry'.[285] The Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke with the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about Syria, with the Russian side emphasizing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria according to the Russian public statement.[285]