SDF announce capture of Syria’s largest gas field from IS

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The US-backed Kurdish-led forces on Saturday announced they had captured the largest gas field in Syria from Islamic State (IS) militants, as a campaign against the extremists in Deir al-Zor Province continues.

Nasser Haj Mansour of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said the Conoco gas field, as well as the plant, is now under the control of the US-backed troops.

Mansour stated the victory came after days of fighting with IS militants where the SDF also gained control of the nearby al-Izba gas field.

SDF spokesperson Brigadier General Talal Silo added the clashes in the area left 65 extremists dead while over 100 IS fighters surrendered to the Kurdish-led forces.

Silo stated the SDF fighters advanced toward the Conoco field, under IS control since 2014, from the nearby village of Khsham with cover from the US-led coalition’s airstrikes.

According to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, IS fighters were preparing to launch a counteroffensive to retake the field.

While SDF fighters continue to advance on the east bank of the Euphrates River in Deir al-Zor, Russian-backed Syrian troops are gaining areas on the west bank of the river.

Earlier this month, the US-backed forces said their fighters were wounded by Russian and Syrian airstrikes on their positions in the countryside of Deir al-Zor, in eastern Syria.

The SDF immediately condemned the assault on their forces and called on the attackers to “stop such actions that only serve IS militants.”

Russia has been Syria’s main ally, joining the war two years ago, and has supported Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Editing by Ava Homa