Battle of the Shaer gas field (2016)

The Battle of the Shaer gas field (2016) refers to a series of military engagements that took place in and around the Shaer gas field, located in the Homs Governorate of Syria, during the Syrian Civil War. This gas field held significant strategic and economic importance for the Syrian government. The main combatants involved in the battle were the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and affiliated pro-government militias against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The battle involved repeated ISIS offensives aimed at capturing and controlling the gas field. ISIS sought to disrupt Syrian government revenue streams, seize valuable resources, and demonstrate their capability to strike at key infrastructure. The Syrian Army, often supported by the National Defence Force (NDF) and sometimes Russian air support, fought to defend the gas field and maintain government control.

The fighting was characterized by intense clashes, including ambushes, suicide attacks, and heavy artillery fire. Control of the gas field fluctuated at times, with ISIS briefly seizing portions of it before being pushed back by government forces. Securing and maintaining control of the Shaer gas field was a recurring challenge for the Syrian government throughout the conflict.

The outcome of the specific engagements in 2016 saw the Syrian Army ultimately retaining control of the Shaer gas field, albeit after suffering significant casualties and requiring reinforcements. The continuous threat from ISIS forced the Syrian government to commit substantial resources to the area's security. The battle highlighted the vulnerability of key infrastructure targets during the Syrian Civil War and the ongoing struggle between the Syrian government and ISIS.