ISIS Takes Last Oilfield in Syrian Government Control

The Islamic State took control of the last oil field that was under the control of the Syrian government just as Russia seems to be stepping up its efforts to support its ally Bashar al Assad.

Reuters reports that Jazal oil field east of the city of Homs had been shut down as fighting raged between the two sides. The government claims to have killed 25 ISIS fighters but did not say whether or not they still had control of the oil field. The state of the equipment needed to extract oil, which is vital to the monetary supplies of both sides, is unclear.

The Syrian Army first lost control of the field in May when ISIS took control of the ancient city of Palmyra, but had been able to regain control of it. The loss of the last oil field under government control would be a serious setback for the regime, which has been having a difficult time keeping fighters.

As these setbacks mount, Russia seems to have increased its involvement in the conflict, sending fresh supplies of arms and teams of advisers. Russia has sent housing for hundreds of personnel to Syria and even a portable air traffic control system to an airfield in Syria near Assad's base of power. The Russian government has also asked countries surrounding Syria for permission to fly military aircraft through their airspace.

A different Reuters report says that the United States has asked Greece to deny Russia permission to fly military aircraft over its airspace to enter Syria. Greece is saying that the request, which runs through Sept. 24, is under consideration, but Reuters reports that a story in the Russian press said the request has been denied.