In Syria, fighters from the self declared jihadist group, the Islamic State, have seized a gas field in the desert region of Palmyra in the central province of Homs. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the fighters yesterday attacked the Shaer gas field, east of the ancient site of Palmyra, killing 23 guards. The fate of 340 National Defence Force members, guards, engineers and employees who were in the field, is unknown, as they were either taken prisoner or injured during the operation.