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Syrian regulars recapture oilfield near Raqqa
[ARA News] QAMISHLO – Subsequent to fierce clashes with militants of the Islamic State (ISIS), the Syrian regime’s army forces on Monday recaptured the Thawra gas field in the northeastern Raqqa province.

The Thawra gas field, located in the western countryside of Raqqa, has been under ISIS control for more than two years.

“The army has expelled Daesh [ISIS] terrorists from the al-Thawra gas field,” Syrian army officer Haider Hammoud confirmed in an interview with ARA News.

“The group has suffered heavy losses in manpower and equipment before retreating from the field,” he said.

Gas and oil facilities are deemed a main financial resource for ISIS, especially in the group’s de facto capital of Raqqa.

In the meantime, the Syrian regime’s troops continued their advance towards the Tabqa airbase west of Raqqa, supported by a Russian air cover.

“For us Tabqa airbase is a main target in our military campaign in Raqqa,” the official told ARA News.

Haider added that the Russian air force has played a major role in the army’s progress in the western countryside of Raqqa.

“We are only 8km away from the airbase. The liberation of Tabqa will come soon,” he said.
Posted by: badanov 2016-06-21
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=459874