Syrian army regains control of oil wells captured by Islamic State

The Syrian army regained control on Wednesday over two important oil wells that had been seized recently by the Islamic State (ISIS), according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

AFP news agency quoted the London-based observatory as saying that, “Regime forces and pro-regime militia retook control of the Jhar and Mahr gas fields, as well as the Hayyan gas company in the east of Homs province.”

ISIS had reportedly taken over the oil wells last week and the gas company last month.

The observatory’s director, Rami Abdel Rahman, explained that the oil wells are important because they supply Damascus and Homs with gas needed for generating electricity. He noted that the two wells are close to Al-Sha’er gas field, which remains under the control of ISIS.

Abdel Rahman told AFP that the Syrian regime regained control over the oil wells after violent clashes with ISIS, including heavy aerial strikes carried out by regime forces targeting ISIS bases. He said that the clashes continue as regime forces advance towards Al-Sha’er.

ISIS has taken over several oil wells in Iraq and Syria, providing what is considered to be the main source of income for its so-called caliphate that controls the land it has seized in both countries.