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The Islamic State has reportedly captured regime positions in Homs Province in central Syria, as fighting continues for control of nearby oil and gas fields, according to local media activists.

The jihadists took the fields last year, extending their control of Syria’s energy production; however, the Syrian military regained some areas, including the al-Shaer field, where the regime claimed recently that it had renewed some operations.

On Wednesday, the Islamic State attacked a checkpoint, military platoon, and regime positions near Sukhna, according to one of the activists.

The pro-regime Syrian Center for Documentation confirmed the fighting and said “the news indicates that [the Islamic State] is advancing at the moment”.

Located on the main highway from Homs Province to Deir Ez Zor in eastern Syria, Sukhna is the last line of defense to the northeast of Palmyra, an oasis populated about 4000 years ago and an important city in the east of the Roman Empire. Syrian forces in the town also oversee military warehouses, the local airport, and the military prison.

SUKHNA MAP

(Map: Syria Direct)

Pipelines from the oil and gas stations to the south of Sukhna run east to Iraq and west to the oil refinery at Baniyas, on the Mediterranean coast.

The pro-opposition news outlet Zaman al-Wasl claims that Iranian forces came to Palmyra last month to train regime militias to protect the oil and gas fields.


Report: Rebels Advance in East Hama Province

Rebels claim that they took the town of Kafat and the Zur a-Sous air defense base from regime forces in east Hama Province, looking to relieve pressure on colleagues in neighboring north Homs Province.

The rebels also moved into Zur a-Sous village next to the base. The area is near a regime cordon, trapping opposition forces in rebel-held territory.

Jabhat al-Nusra has reportedly been attacking the regime blockade from the north, while the Free Syrian Army is attacking from the south near the town of Taqsis.

Rebels are also trying to cut off regime units by taking the highway, near Kafat, between Hama city and Selmiya in east Hama Province.

Selmiya is located on the alternative government route for supplies between Hama and Homs. The main road between the two regime-held cities is blocked by rebels.

Conflicting Reports Over Battle for Handarat Village, North of Aleppo

Conflicting reports are circulating this morning over the regime’s attempt to reclaim Handarat village, near a key highway north of Aleppo.

The Syrian military claimed on Wednesday that it had resumed “full control” of the village after losing it last week to rebels.

See Syria Daily, March 18: “Latest Assad Chlorine Attack is War Crime” — Amnesty International

However, opposition sources denied the claim. A local pro-opposition journalist, Raed Abu Yassin, said, “The regime began the attack at 7am, but without capturing it. The fighting is ongoing and the rebels are standing up to them.”

A local journalist said the Free Syrian Army ambushed two Hezbollah reconnaissance units on Wednesday night, north of Handarat, capturing up to 17 fighters as they tried to move into the village. The pro-opposition Syria News added that the FSA also captured a Hezbollah rescue team –– reportedly led by an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps officer –– that attempted to go in and free the Hezbollah units.

The Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office reported “clashes erupted between the Free Syrian Army and regime forces, reinforced by local and foreign militias” on the outskirts of the village.

The regime had long controlled Handarat village until last week, while rebel hold Handarat camp close to the highway, which runs to opposition-held east Aleppo.

Opposition Forms 1st “United Local Council” in Latakia Province

Residents have announced “the first committee of its kind that unites all civil and military opposition forces” in Latakia Province in western Syria.

Ahmed Bakri, a local citizen journalist, told Syria Direct, “The goal is to hold elections for local administrative councils that have pledged allegiance to the council that cooperate with armed brigades operating on the ground.”

Announcing the council in a video posted on YouTube, member Mohammad Rajbu said elections will be held within a week: “The council was created by locals, for locals.”

Participants indicated an earlier committee had failed because its members were from outside the province. Mustafa al-Haj al-Bakri said:

The council was created to finish and carry out the work of another committee created six months ago by the Turkey-based [Syrian] National Coalition.

The Coalition committee’s mandate was to organize revolutionary activity in Latakia, however they were unable to organize and carry out elections or coordinate with local militias because none of their members was based in the country.

The rebel Sham Front controls a series of villages across northern Latakia Province. The Front and other armed brigades are listed as participants in the council.