ISIS says hiring Locals in Iraq's oil fields is priority, terminates Syrians

ISIS has terminated most of Syrians who work in oil facilities it control in Iraq, saying the hiring priority is for locals, a decision reflects powerful leadership of Iraqis inside the radical group that controls swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria, sources said.

Islamic State that proclaimed a caliphate a year ago has run most of oil and gas fields near Mosul since the revenues have been an effective weapon to bolster the financial status of the State.

Some of Syrian workers said the instructions assured that the priority is for Iraqis to gain their trust and loyalty as war against Shiite militia backed by Iran continue.

Syria's four-year-old war has killed more than 230,000 people and forced millions out of their homes.