Western analysts keep pronouncing the Islamic State dead; the Islamic State keeps on having different ideas. Meanwhile, no one seems curious as to why it continues to be popular among Muslims in the West.
“ISIS Seizes Gas Field Near Palmyra: In Syria, Islamic State Making A Comeback After US, Russian Airstrikes?,” by Cristina Silva, International Business Times, May 6, 2016:
Islamic State group fighters seized a gas field in eastern Syria Thursday, marking a significant victory for the militants, who have seen their territory shrink after months of air bombings led by Russia and the United States. The capture of the main Shaer gas field in the Palmyra desert comes after the militants, also known as ISIS, lost the ancient city in March to the Syrian regime.
The ISIS fighters claimed they took the gas field area after killing at least 30 Syrian troops and seizing large caches of heavy weapons, including tanks and missiles, during a three-day assault, Reuters reported. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the seizure of the gas field area roughly 90 miles northwest of Palmyra, the ancient city known for its historic monuments.
In December, ISIS ruled over nearly two-thirds of Syria’s oil production capacity. The group used the revenue made from selling oil to small, privately owned refineries to fund its conquests and pay its fighters, to the tune of about $2 million to $3 million a day in total.
Foreign forces have forced ISIS to retreat across Syria and Iraq in recent months. In the militant’s stronghold in eastern Syria, the Syrian and Russian governments recaptured Palmyra in March after a 10-month battle that saw the destruction of the iconic temples of Bel and Baalshamin as well as the Arch of Triumph….

Alarmed Pig Farmer says
Let us recall that the Barack Hussein administration for over a year allowed ISIS to transport oil by truck caravan from Mosul to the Med for sale on the black market. I squawked about that in here for a year, and finally they sent in some Navy jets to mop up a caravan. The explanation was they held off out of concern about environmental damage.
I didn’t hear a peep about this from our presumptive next president Hillary, and still haven’t heard anything from presumptive nominee Donald. Nor any words about DHS declining to look at Tashfeen Malik’s social media out of respect for her privacy when “vetting” her for importation. She had publicly proclaimed her allegiance with ISIS on her Facebook page, and when on to do the mass murder in San Bernadino.
When it comes to Islam insanity is required. Mandatory. Read the recent utterances of Pope Frank on Moslems and you’ll see it. The insanity, that is.
Baucent says
Actually it was Russian air strikes that first targeted the tanker convoys. The Obama admin didn’t want to endanger the lives of the Turkish drivers and so cause a problem with Erdogan.
Anne Smith says
I was under the impression, perhaps mistakenly, that the Donald had said if he were elected that he would go in 100% and attack properly, not just teeter about on the edges. He said that they won’t know what’s hit them.
Good Luck to him.
Angemon says
Air bombings by themselves are a pointless waste of resources. Either you have a determined, well-supplied, well-trained ground force to sweep up or the islamic state will simply wait them out and carry on as usual.
miriamrove says
Hi A! I am no military expert, but I do not think bombing or boots are good either. I think we should send 100K Marines there and put those bastards under siege and flush them out like they did in the old days. M
Angemon says
Giving the Marines free reign? I like the sound of that 😀 Maybe under the new management – despite what polls say, I can’t see Hilary or Bernie beating Trump.
miriamrove says
Trump will win. At least I am hoping. If Hillary gets elected I will move back to Iran!!! M
gravenimage says
Islamic State seizes gas field near Palmyra
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For something that has supposedly died the Islamic State is all too gruesomely lively–it brings to mind vampires, perhaps, or zombies–something evil and hard to really kill, in any case.