BREAKING NEWS

Islamist rebels say seize biggest Syrian oilfield from Assad forces

Islamist rebel battalions led byal Qaeda-linked fighters seized the largest oil field in easternSyria on Saturday, activists said, cutting off President Bashar Assad's access to almost all local crude reserves.

There was no immediate comment from the government. Losingthe al-Omar oil field would mean Assad's forces would be almostcompletely reliant on imported oil in their fight to end thecountry's 2-1/2-year revolt.

Activists linked to the Nusra Front said its fightersstormed and captured the field, as well as several tanks and aweapons cache.