Security sources claim that Syrian forces have seized major oil and gas fields in eastern Syria

Officials and security sources reported on Sunday that Syrian troops fighting U.S. Kurdish-led force seized the largest oil field in Syria, the Omar, as well as the Conoco gas fields in eastern Deir 'Zor province, while allied Arab tribes advanced into the oil-rich region along the border with Iraq.

The group suffered a major setback when they took over the oil fields east of the Euphrates, a source of income for the 'Kurdish led forces.' Officials said that the takeover had deprived the state resources which the militia used.

The Syrian army has pressed on despite U.S. requests to stop its advance into areas in northeast Syria populated primarily by Arabs and controlled mainly by the U.S. backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

According to a government source, the Kurdish-led force was defeated after the Arab tribal fighters advanced. This allowed the government and tribal allies of the government to take over a stretch of?territory of more than 150km along the eastern side of the Euphrates, stretching from Baghouz near the Iraqi border toward key towns such as al-Shuhail or Busayra.

The army took control late Saturday of Tabqa, its dam and the Freedom Dam west of Raqqa, which was formerly called the Baath Dam.

The Syrian Kurdish authorities have not acknowledged that these strategic sites had been lost, and whether the fighting is still going on remains unclear. Reporting by Maya Gebeily, Suleiman Al Khalidi and Elaine Hardcastle. Writing by Suleiman a. Khalidi. Editing by Elaine Hardcastle.

(source: Reuters)