The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) is currently on the offensive in the Homs Governorate’s eastern countryside, as they look to advance across this vast desert landscape that is rich with oil and other natural resources.

On Friday morning in east Homs, the aforementioned terrorist group launched a massive assault on the strategic Al-Sha’ar Gas Fields, targeting the Syrian Arab Army’s defensive positions around the southern flank of Well 101 and Well 102.

So far, the Syrian Arab Army’s 67th Brigade of the 18th Tank Division – alongside the National Defense Forces (NDF) and a small brigade from the Tiger Forces – have repelled the encroaching militants from ISIS; however, the aforementioned terrorist group will likely launch another assault in the coming minutes.

ISIS was able to reach the southern flank of the Al-Sha’ar Gas Fields after they seized the small desert village of Al-Bayarat from the Syrian Armed Forces yesterday.

If ISIS captures the Al-Sha’ar Gas Fields from the Syrian Armed Forces, they will have full access to the Homs Governorate’s main electrical source; this means that ISIS can obstruct the electricity that reaches most of western Syria.

Last year, the Syrian Armed Forces were able to recapture the Al-Sha’ar Gas Fields after a long and bloody battle with ISIS; however, the amount of time it took them to expel the terrorists from the area had exceeded 10 months.