With most of its natural and mineral resources having fallen under rebel control, Syrian state revenues have shrunk, leaving the government dependent on unstable sources of income for its survival.
In the first quarter of 2015, Syria sold 408,000 tons of phosphate in total, on the domestic market and abroad, according to the ministry.
Already this year's exports have less than halved from the 988,000 tons sold in the first three months of 2011 that brought in $63 million for the government.
However, with the loss of Sharqiya and Khneifess, prospects are dim for a government which projected income of $160 million in 2015 phosphate sales.
By September 2014, ISIS was producing more oil than the regime: 80,000 barrels per day, compared to the government's 17,000 bpd, the Oil Ministry said.
According to Syria Report, ISIS seized yet another oil field from the regime last week – Jazal, which produced 2,500 bpd.
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