Islamist rebels say seize biggest Syrian oilfield from Assad forces

Islamist rebel battalions led by al-Qaeda-linked fighters seized the largest oil field in eastern Syria 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. Losing the al-Omar oil field would mean Assad's forces would be almost completely reliant on imported oil in their fight to end the country's 2-1/2-year revolt. (Reuters)