Fighters not only drink the beverage for energy, but also profit when it's transported across the border between Turkey and Syria.
Austrian based Red Bull has reportedly been fueling the minds and pockets of Syrian Islamists. The energy drink marketed to "give you wings," is benefiting both Islamic State or ISIS fighters, as well as the rebel groups fighting them and President Bashar al-Assad.
Trade statistics released last week reveal that Turkey has shipped around $1.3 billion worth of items to Syria from January through September.
According to one Turkish transportation company, of the goods trafficked into Syria on a daily basis, four or five truckloads of Red Bull are included in the transport.
It's reported that over $260 million worth of goods has been brought over at 2 northern Syrian border towns alone so far this year, with another $320 million through yet another a local town.
Soldiers on all sides of the conflict drink Red Bull to stay awake and alert during fighting. They also benefit from the money it brings in to purchase weapons.
Border control between Syria and Turkey has been taken over by certain rebel groups, including the Islamic Front and the Free Syrian Army, in addition to Islamic State extremists.
Since President al-Assad lost control of the Syrian side of the border, whoever controls the crossing profits from it, enabling the respective groups to fund themselves.
This arrangement shows the power and control these groups have over certain parts of Syria, and many fear peace will never come to the area.
