First Battle of Sha'ir

{{Other uses|Battle of the Shaer gas field (disambiguation){{!}}Battle of the Shaer gas field}}

{{Infobox military conflict

| conflict = Battle of the Shaer gas field (July 2014)

| partof = the Syrian Civil War

| image = {{Location map many | Syria

| AlternativeMap = Syria physical map.svg

| relief = yes

| width = 300

| caption =

| lat2_deg = 34.8504914

| lon2_deg = 37.8901505

| pos2 = below

| label2 = Shaer gas field

}}

| caption =

| date = 16–26 July 2014
({{Age in months, weeks and days|month1=07|day1=16|year1=2014|month2=07|day2=26|year2=2014|}})

| place = Palmyra region, Homs Governorate, Syria

| result = Both sides claim victory

| combatant1 = {{flagicon image|ShababFlag.svg}} Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

| combatant2 = {{flagicon|Syria|1980}} Syrian Arab Republic

| commander1 = Hassan Abbous
(IS emir of Homs)

| commander2 = Unknown

| units1 = {{tree list}}

{{flagicon|ISIL}} ISIL military
Dawoud Brigade

| units2 = {{tree list}}

{{flagicon image|Flag of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces (1980–2024).svg}} Syrian Armed Forces
{{flagicon image|Flag of the Syrian Arab Army.svg}} Syrian Army
Army Special Forces
{{flagicon image|InfoboxNDF.png}} National Defense Force
Local NDF militia

| strength1 = 100 (per ISIL)
2,000 (per SAA){{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/toll-climbs-in-fight-for-syrian-gas-field-1405924827|title=Toll Climbs in Fight for Syrian Gas Field|date=21 July 2014|work=WSJ|access-date=25 October 2014}}

| strength2 = 370 (gas field garrison)
Unknown number of reinforcements

| casualties1 = 51–67 killed

| casualties2 = 347–361 killed270 killed (16–17 July), 11–20 killed (18 July),[http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/106633/World/Region/Battle-for-Syria-gas-field-after-jihadists-execute.aspx][http://www.sacbee.com/2014/07/19/6567940/syria-fights-to-free-gas-field.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727102040/http://www.sacbee.com/2014/07/19/6567940/syria-fights-to-free-gas-field.html |date=2014-07-27 }} 60–65 killed (19 July),[http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Jul-20/264502-60-syria-soldiers-dead-in-battle-with-jihadists-report.ashx][https://web.archive.org/web/20140811234117/http://www.syriahr.com/index.php?option=com_news&nid=21153&Itemid=2&task=displaynews] 6 killed (21 July),[https://archive.today/20140727041923/http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/07/21/3761530/islamic-state-thwarts-syrian-government.html] total of 347–361 reported killed (200 executed){{Ref label|killed|*}}
200–250 captured/missing (mostly civilian workers)
15 tanks captured
several tanks and APCs destroyed

| notes = {{Note label|killed|*}}11 civilian workers

| territory = Syrian government forces recapture the gas field

}}

The Battle of the Shaer gas field occurred in mid-July 2014 during the Syrian Civil War when jihadists of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) attacked and captured the field from government forces, which was followed by an Army counter-attack. It was one of the deadliest battles up-to-date in the war between fighters of the militant group and government troops.{{cite web|url=http://www.guelphmercury.com/news-story/4640736-reports-at-least-115-syrian-troops-workers-killed-in-islamic-militants-seizure-of-gas-field/|title=Reports: At least 115 Syrian troops, workers killed in Islamic militants' seizure of gas field|access-date=25 October 2014}}

Battle

On the evening of 16 July 2014, ISIS gathered a small force of 100 veteran militants equipped with small arms and pick-up trucks and launched an assault on the Shaer field, located in the desert region of Palmyra in Homs province. The field was defended by about 400 SAA troops and NDF militia, equipped with tanks and artillery and backed up by on-call air support from the nearby Shayrat Airbase. The attack started with a suicide bombing via VBIED, followed by assaults on Army checkpoints. After 12 hours of fighting, the militants captured all eight military checkpoints and secured the gas field.{{cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/07/18/Scores-killed-after-ISIS-seize-Syria-gas-field-.html|title=Scores killed after ISIS seize Syria gas field|access-date=25 October 2014}} A total of 363 SAA troops and NDF militiamen present at the start of the attack were killed, wounded, or captured, with only 30 managing to escape to the nearby Hajjar field.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/mideast/2014/07/19/isis-seizes-gas-fields-strengthens-its-presence-in-syria|title=ISIS SEIZES GAS FIELDS, STRENGTHENS ITS PRESENCE IN SYRIA|work=dailysabah.com|access-date=25 October 2014}} Days later, it was reported that some of the military officers committed betrayal at the start of the attack.[http://syriahr.com/index.php?option=com_news&nid=21143&Itemid=2&task=displaynews#.U8ujMPmSzX4 Ongoing clashes for 48 hours for the Shaer gas field] After the raid, ISIS posted online a video purportedly showing two rocket launchers and two tanks that they captured and the bodies of 50 people lying in an open desert space, many apparently executed.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Jul-19/264383-syrian-army-clashes-with-isis-near-deir-al-zor-airport.ashx#axzz37f5yUPCm|title=Syrian army clashes with ISIS near Deir al-Zor airport|work=The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon|access-date=25 October 2014|archive-date=17 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617100017/http://www.dailystar.com.lb//News/Middle-East/2014/Jul-19/264383-syrian-army-clashes-with-isis-near-deir-al-zor-airport.ashx#axzz37f5yUPCm|url-status=dead}}

It was determined 270 people on the government side, including 11 civilian workers, were killed,{{cite web|url=http://news.asiaone.com/news/world/jihadists-kill-270-syrian-gas-field-massacre|title=Jihadists kill 270 in Syrian gas field 'massacre'|work=AsiaOne|access-date=25 October 2014|archive-date=20 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720224245/http://news.asiaone.com/news/world/jihadists-kill-270-syrian-gas-field-massacre|url-status=dead}} with at least 200 of them executed after being captured. Another 200–250 government fighters and workers remained captured or missing,[http://www.syriahr.com/index.php?option=com_news&nid=21143&Itemid=2&task=displaynews#.U8uFjPmSyyE Clashes have been going on 48 hours in the Shaer gas field] while 21–27 ISIS militants were killed. Government supporters branded the killings of the POWs as a "massacre" and the pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights condemned the killings with the SOHR director stating: "The Observatory condemns summary execution as a war crime, regardless of which side it is committed by in the Syrian conflict. Summary execution is a war crime — whether of civilians or combatants. They are prisoners of war and must not be executed."

Soon after, the military launched an attempt to recapture the gas field, which included air strikes. The next day, Syrian special forces joined the battle as government troops recaptured parts of the Shaer field.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/reports-115-killed-seizure-syria-gas-field-24620540|title=Syrian Troops Seek to Retake Jihadi-Held Gas Field|work=ABC News|access-date=25 October 2014}} 11–20 soldiers{{cite web|url=http://www.sacbee.com/2014/07/19/6567940/syria-fights-to-free-gas-field.html|title=Syria fights to free gas field from Islamic State|work=sacbee|access-date=25 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727102040/http://www.sacbee.com/2014/07/19/6567940/syria-fights-to-free-gas-field.html|archive-date=27 July 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/106633/World/Region/Battle-for-Syria-gas-field-after-jihadists-execute.aspx |title=Battle for Syria gas field after jihadists execute hundreds: NGO |access-date=25 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222105908/http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/106633/World/Region/Battle-for-Syria-gas-field-after-jihadists-execute.aspx |archive-date=December 22, 2015 }} and 30–40 ISIS fighters were killed during the day's clashes.{{cite web|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/syria-aims-to-retake-gas-field-30444235.html|title=Syria aims to retake gas field|work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk|access-date=25 October 2014}}

On 19 July, government aircraft withdrew from the field due to heavy militant fire from 23-mm heavy machine guns, while the fighting settled into hit-and-run attacks after government forces managed to recapture large areas of the gas field but were still trying to take control of the surrounding areas. Later, it was reported 60–65 soldiers were killed during the day, ether by friendly fire airstrikes or in fighting against ISIS.[http://www.syriahr.com/index.php?option=com_news&nid=21153&Itemid=2&task=displaynews#.U8wXuvmSyyE The killing of 65 of the regime's forces in Shaer gas field]{{cite web|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140720/60-syria-soldiers-dead-battle-jihadists|title=60 Syria soldiers dead in battle with jihadists|work=GlobalPost|access-date=25 October 2014}}

On 20 July, government forces pushed ISIS out of the gas field and secured it, while fighting continued on its outskirts. According to another source, the Islamic State was still in control of the gas field, despite efforts of the Army.{{cite web|url=http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/07/21/3761530/islamic-state-thwarts-syrian-government.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140727041923/http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/07/21/3761530/islamic-state-thwarts-syrian-government.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 July 2014|title=Islamic State thwarts Syrian government forces on two front|access-date=25 October 2014}} The next day, new government reinforcements arrived at Tiyas airbase, east of Homs city,[http://syriahr.com/index.php?option=com_news&nid=21171&Itemid=2&task=displaynews#.U80JhfmSzX4 6 barrel bombs on Nawa and continuing clashes at Shaer gas field.] while more fighting left six soldiers dead.

On 26 July, the Army secured the gas field, as well as the surrounding hills.{{cite web|url=http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/140680-syria-regime-forces-retake-gas-field-from-jihadists|title=Syria Regime Forces Retake Gas Field from Jihadists|work=Naharnet|access-date=25 October 2014}} The capture of the field came after ISIS forces retreated. According to the military, this was achieved due to a "precise operation in which dozens of terrorists were killed." The ISIS itself claimed they retreated after destroying the field's equipment and capturing at least 15 tanks and dozens of rockets which were used to guard the field, thus achieving their goal. An ISIS spokesman characterized the battle as a successful raid: "We pulled out because it was no longer good for us to stay. The goal was to get the tanks and rockets present at the field and we did. There is no point in staying there and becoming an easy target for the regime and its warplanes."{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-gasfield-idUSKBN0FW0HO20140727|title=Syria retakes Homs gas field from hardline group|work=Reuters|access-date=25 October 2014|archive-date=7 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007012739/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/27/us-syria-crisis-gasfield-idUSKBN0FW0HO20140727|url-status=live}}

Aftermath

In late October, ISIS once again attacked the gas field{{cite web|url=http://dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Oct-29/275748-isis-attack-on-syria-oil-field-kills-30-monitor.ashx#axzz3GNapFJpb|title=ISIS attack on Syria oil field kills 30: monitor|publisher=The Daily Star|date=29 October 2014|access-date=29 October 2014|archive-date=17 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617101528/http://www.dailystar.com.lb//News/Middle-East/2014/Oct-29/275748-isis-attack-on-syria-oil-field-kills-30-monitor.ashx#axzz3GNapFJpb|url-status=dead}} and after three days of fighting captured the field,[http://syriahr.com/en/2014/10/isis-gain-control-in-shaer-gas-field-and-regime-forces-torture-12-men-to-death-in-homs/ ISIS gain control in Shaer gas field, and regime forces torture 12 men to death in Homs. | Syrian Observatory For Human Rights] as well as the Hayyan Gas Company.[http://syriahr.com/en/2014/10/is-militants-take-control-over-hayyan-gas-company-in-homs/ IS militants take control over Hayyan Gas Company in Homs | Syrian Observatory For Human Rights] only to be lost to the SAA on 6 November, when the Army retook the Shaer gas field and Syriatel Hill from ISIL.{{cite web|url=http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKBN0IQ2EB20141106|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107004538/http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKBN0IQ2EB20141106|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 7, 2014|title=Syrian government forces retake gas field from Islamic State: monitor|access-date=14 November 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://syriahr.com/en/2014/11/the-regime-forces-re-capture-the-shaer-gas-field/|title=The regime forces re- capture the Sha'er gas field|author=sohranas|work=Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|access-date=14 November 2014}}