Damascus, May 16 (IANS): Syrian government forces killed 40 militants of the Islamic State (IS) group, including a commander responsible for oil-related affairs, in a "qualitative" operation in the oil-rich province of Deir al-Zour in eastern Syria, media reported on Saturday.

The Syrian troops killed the 40 militants near the al-Omar oil field in the countryside of Deir al-Zour, Xinhua news agency reported citing the official Syrian TV, adding that the so-called "IS minister of oil," who goes by the alias of Abu al-Taim al-Saudi, was among those killed.

In the last couple of years, the IS has captured large swathes of Deir al-Zour, mainly in its countryside, where most of the country's oil and gas fields are located.

Syrian media said a large portion of the IS's finances come from the illegal sale of Syrian oil.

Meanwhile, Syrian TV said the army thwarted an infiltration attempt by IS militants in the countryside of the central province of Homs and the outskirts of the southern province of Swaida.