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DAMASCUS, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army captured on Monday the Jazal oil field west of the ancient city of Palmyra following battles with the Islamic State (IS) group, a military source told Xinhua.
The government forces backed by allied fighters wrested control over Jazal after battles with the IS, during which several weaponry have been used, said the source on condition of anonymity.
Jazal is one of several gas and oil fields located near Palmyra, in the eastern countryside of the central province of Homs.
The IS militants captured these energy fields during their second invasion to the city of Palmyra last December.
On Thursday, the army recaptured the ancient city of Palmyra and pushed forward to capture the energy plants in its surroundings.
The army forces reached Jazal on Sunday evening, before wresting full control over the facility on Monday.
Unfortunately, the IS set the wells on fire in the field prior to their withdrawal, said the source, adding that the IS militants regrouped in the nearby Mazrur oil field and the mountain of Jabal Jazal.
