PKK/PYD captures major gas plant in Syria's Deir ez-Zor

By Adham Kako and Mohamad Misto

DEIR EZ-ZOUR / ANKARA (AA) – PKK/PYD terrorist organization took control of a major gas plant northeast of Deir Ez-Zour province in Syria, according to a local source.

The PKK/PYD is advancing into the eastern Syrian province, home to some of the country’s most productive oilfields.

There are 11 major oilfields in Deir ez-Zor from which the Daesh terrorist group withdrew earlier without any shots fired.

Backed by the U.S., the PKK/PYD on Sept. 9 began advancing into Deir ez-Zor without encountering any resistance from Daesh.

On Saturday, the PKK/PYD took control of Conoco Gas Plant -- among Syria’s main gas plants -- located in Deir ez-Zor east of the Euphrates River near the border with Iraq, the source, who spoke anonymously due to fears of safety, told Anadolu Agency.

Struck by the U.S. – backed coalition forces on Friday, Conoco was captured by PKK/PYD on Saturday.

Syria’s main oilfields are located east of the Euphrates, the largest of which is the Al-Omar oilfield.

The Al-Omar, Tanak, Ward, Afra, Kewari, Jafra, Jarnuf, Azrak, Kahar, Sueytat and Galban fields are all located east of the river. These are estimated to account for roughly one third of Syria’s total energy production.

Daesh, which held these oilfields for about three years, earned millions of dollars in revenue from their use.