Daesh yesterday announced that it has gained control of the Shaer gas field, 120 kilometres east of Homs, after three days of fierce battles with Syrian regime forces.

At least 30 regime fighters were killed in the fighting and several others were captured, Daesh’s Amaq news agency reported.

This is not the first time that the extremist group has advanced to this field.

Battles continue in the vicinity of the field in an effort by the regime to regain control of it. Experts believe the loss of the oil field is proof that Assad regime is no longer able to keep hold of areas under its control.