More than 360 killed in struggle for control of Syrian gas field

At least 361 people have died in clashes between Damascus regime forces and militants. For two days both the regime forces and rebels have faced for control of the gas field Shaer, in the central province of Homs, said late Friday the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

During the same Friday at least 51 government troops and 40 members of the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (EIIL) were killed in a counterattack at the gas field by loyalists, which was taken on Thursday by the extremists. After the attack, the regime has managed to recover parts of the gas field, located in the east of Homs.

Also, according to the NGO, 270 people had been killed the day before during the outbreak of EI in the field. All victims are uniformed guards or members of the  National defense forces, pro-government militias. The whereabouts of at least 90 supporters of the regime is also unknown.

The EIIL has control of much of the oil and gas fields in northern Syria. In the province of Deir al-Zur in eastern region, it controls oilfield Al Omar, the largest in the country.

The EIIL announced in late June establishing an Islamic caliphate in Iraq and Syria, having large parts of both territories. In Syria it dominates 35% of the country’s area.

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Posted by Maleeha Tareen on Jul 20 2014. Filed under Latest News, Middle East. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.