Oil war between Jabhat an-Nusra and ISIS
Asharq Al-A-Awsat have published article called “Harmful conflict between islamic organizations for oil wells in eastern Syria”.
Article stated, that one of the main reasons of current fierce struggle between islamic fractions in Syria’s east – Hassake and Deir ez-Zour is the wish to control oil and gas fields and trade.
Newspaper claims, that a few days ago ISIS have managed to push out Jabhat an-Nusra and Ahrar ash-Sham from ash-Shaddadi, Hassake province, and to occupy the town and oil wells nearby.
Shaddadi is the main source of oil in Hassake.
ISIS has imposed a siege on Nusra and Ahrar ash-Sham and gave their people a choice either to surrender or to pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Bagdadi. They chose the latter. ISIS got control without any fight.
Asharq Al-A-Awsat further stated, that ISIS has occupied “some vital installations in the city of Deir ez-Zour” and therefore “cut supply routes for the soldiers of Islam”. This claim is taken from a lengthy statement of Jabhat an-Nusra “The Forewarned is Forearmed”, that was published on February 7 and described in great detail jihadi grievances in Deir ez-Zour and rogue tactics of ISIS.
Asharq Al-A-Awsat also reminds, that ISIS have recently expelled Suqur ash-Sham from oil field Badia Shar in Hama.