Battle of the Shaer gas field (2016)

The Battle of the Shaer gas field was a battle between the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the Syrian government for the control over the Sha'er gas field during the Syrian Civil War. It is the third attack that was launched by ISIL on the gas field.

For other uses, see Battle of the Shaer gas field.
Battle of the Shaer gas field (2016)
Part of the Syrian Civil War
Shaer gas field
Date2–30 May 2016
(4 weeks)
Location
Palmyra region, Homs Governorate, Syria
Result

Partial ISIL victory

  • ISIL captures the Shaer gas field and the Huwaysis area.
  • ISIL blow up Shaer Gas Field afterwards.
  • Syrian Army recaptures the Huwaysis area
Belligerents
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Syrian Arab Republic
Supported by:
 Russia
Commanders and leaders
Abu Baraa Al Jazrawi Unknown
Units involved
Unknown Unknown Syrian military unit
Russian Naval Infantry[1]
Casualties and losses
16 killed (1st day) 34 killed (1st day)

Offensive

On 5 May 2016, ISIL once again captured the Shaer gas field that had been held by the Syrian government since the Second Battle of the Shaer gas field.[2] 34 soldiers and 16 ISIL fighters were killed during the battle for the field.[3]

Four days later, ISIL attacked the nearby al-Mahr oil field, capturing al-Mahr hill, before the military recaptured the hill and repelled the attack on the field the following day.[4] The same day, 10 May, ISIL captured an abandoned military base near the T4 airbase, cutting the main supply route to Palmyra. Government troops recaptured the base and reopened the supply road.[5][6][7]

Mid-May, there were reports of explosions and a 4.4 Richter magnitude scale earthquake that was believed to be caused by the entire field blowing up.[8][9]

On 30 May, government forces recaptured the Huwaysis area.[10][11]

Aftermath

In late June, ISIL was once again in control of the Huwaysis area.[12]

In early July, some media activists showed the first photos and videos of the preparation of blasting and explosion.

In September, pro-government forces regained control of the Huwaysis area.[13] but lost it again in a December offensive before recapturing it yet again in early 2017.

See also

References
  1. Russian marines begin military operations in Syria (2016-05-16). "Russian marines begin military operations in Syria". Mirrorspectrum. Archived from the original on 2017-02-13. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
  2. "Islamic State militants seize gas field in eastern Syria". 5 May 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016 – via Reuters.
  3. (www.dw.com), Deutsche Welle. "Fighting calms in Syria's Aleppo amid truce, but hostilities persist elsewhere - News - DW.COM - 05.05.2016". Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  4. Tomson, Chris (9 May 2016). "ISIS attacks al-Mahr oil field as Syrian Army regroups for counteroffensive". Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  5. "IS cuts government supply route to Syria's ancient Palmyra". Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  6. Adra, Zen (13 May 2016). "Field Report: SAA recaptures strategic point near Tiyas Airbase". Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  7. "The regime forces reopen the supply road between Homs and Palmyra and explosion in the city of Homs". Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  8. Spencer, Richard. "Isil 'sets off earthquake by blowing up major gas field' in Syria". Telegraph. Telegraph. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  9. Aterbury, John. "Investigating the "ISIS earthquake"". Bellingcat. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  10. "Palmyra_May_31". Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  11. Editor6. "قوات النظام تتقدم في بادية حمص الشرقية وتستعيد السيطرة على معظم منطقة حويسيس". Retrieved 6 June 2016.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  12. "At least 50 Syrian soldiers killed in ISIS-led attacks in Homs". Archived from the original on 2017-10-19. Retrieved 2016-06-26.
  13. Syrian Army reverses ISIS gains in northeast Homs

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