IS stopped oil extraction in Deir Ezzor

The Islamic State have stopped oil extraction from fields in Deir Ezzor province in eastern Syria after US-led strikes targeted refineries, activists told AFP on Friday.

"Oil extraction has been halted because of the security situation," said Leith al-Deiri, an activist in Deir Ezzor who spoke to AFP via the Internet.

The US-led coalition striking positions of IS in Syria since Tuesday has not targeted any oil fields, but it has hit several makeshift refineries used by the extremists.

The only field in Deir Ezzor now operating is the Coneco gas field, which is used to produce electricity for six provinces, said Deiri, who used a pseudonym for fear of persecution by IS.

Another activist from Deir Ezzor, Rayan al-Furati, confirmed the halt.

Extraction, he said, "has been stopped temporarily".