HOMS, Syria — Following fierce battles, the Syrian army recaptured the al-Shaer gas field from the Islamic State (IS) Nov. 6, for the second time. IS fighters had taken control of the field, 110 kilometers (68 miles) east of Homs, and the surrounding hills at the end of October. Al-Monitor visited al-Shaer on Nov. 7.

The fight for the territory caused significant destruction to the gas field's facilities, especially the main plant, which feeds into the Hayan gas field, from which gas is distributed to networks along the coast and to the south. The army was quick to install fortifications, especially on Zimlat al-Maher Hill, also known as Syriatel Hill. The bodies of IS fighters lay scattered around the desert terrain near the field, alongside equipment destroyed in the clashes and sweeping up operations ongoing in the vicinity.

According to a Syrian army officer who participated in the fighting, the operation began at dawn on Nov. 2, two days after the renowned Col. Suhail al-Hassan was called upon to oversee the recovery of the strategic field. The officer told Al-Monitor that the army had begun to establish its positions by taking strategic hills, most notably Zimlat al-Maher. It then encircled al-Shaer to begin attacking IS positions, including at the main station and seven wells.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the officer said that the army's control of the Palmyra-Homs road, securing the Martyr Omar Ayas Airport (also known as T4) and intense shelling and air raids had led to the collapse of IS fortifications. The IS fighters who survived retreated to the desert road in the direction of Palmyra. The army's rapid progress can be attributed to Hassan's strategy of high-intensity attacks on enemy positions while making swift land assaults. According to the officer, these actions were followed by calls for reinforcements from the Desert Falcons, an elite force expert in desert fighting.