Syrian Army Retakes Palmyra City
KABUL: (MEP) Syrian military have successfully re-captured the ancient city of Palmyra from the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group in the west-central Homs Province, a monitoring group said.
“After heavy fighting during the night, the army is in full control of Palmyra — both the ancient site and the residential neighborhoods,” an unnamed military source said on Sunday.
According to the source, army sappers are in the process of defusing dozens of bombs and mines planted inside the ancient site.
The Syrian army had been gaining ground for several days, supported by Russian air strikes, the sources added.
Images released by the Syrian military on Saturday showed helicopters and tanks firing at positions in Palmyra.
The major gain came after Syrian army’s advances in the western and northern parts of Palmyra during the past several days and intensive military operations in the south.
IS had grasped the historic site and modern town in May 2015.
