Syrian army regains control over Jazal oil field
The Syrian army and its allied militia on Wednesday regained control over the Jazal oil field near the city of Palmyra, the country's state television reported.
Read more: IS in full control of Syrian Palmyra
The oil field produced several thousand barrels of oil per day when functioning under normal conditions.
After securing the perimeter, which includes a complex for natural gas extraction, the army reopened the oil supply route.
Head of Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights Rami Abdul Rahman said the capture of the area “allows the regime to secure a transport route for oil from the Jazal field... to other Syrian cities under its control.”
Rahman commented that the government depended heavily on gas and oil fields around Palmyra to provide electricity to cities under its control, namely Damascus.
Nevertheless, Rahman revealed doubts that an offensive was imminent, given that the government does not have popular support in the region.
The area had been the focus of recent fighting with Islamic State (IS) militants, who gained full control over Palmyra on 20 May.
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