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Syrian army captures entire Palmyra from Daesh terrorists

Sunday, 27 March 2016 6:06 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 27 March 2016 2:59 PM ]

Syrian pro-government forces gesture next to the Palmyra citadel on March 26, 2016, during a military operation to retake the ancient city from Daesh terror group. © AFP

Syrian armed forces have successfully established full control over the ancient city of Palmyra in the west-central Homs Province, latest in a string of victories over the Daesh Takfiri terrorists.

"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.

"Army sappers are in the process of defusing dozens of bombs and mines planted inside the ancient site," the anonymous military source added.

Syrian pro-government forces hold a position in Palmyra on March 26, 2016, during a military operation to retake the ancient city from the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group. ©AFP

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.

The historic city fell to Daesh last May. The Syrian army and allied forces kicked off an assault earlier this month to take Palmyra back with the help of airstrikes and artillery fire.

Daesh militants have reportedly pulled out of the city after the army recaptured it on Sunday and are said to have retreated to the cities of Sukhnah and Dayr al-Zawr in the east.

The liberation of Palmyra now causes eastern Syria to open up to the army and deals a heavy blow to the Daesh Takfiri terrorists who are in control of most of the two provinces of Dayr al-Zawr and Raqqah.

The fall of Palmyra raised global concern as the terrorists blew up its UNESCO-listed temples and looted relics that dated back thousands of years.

Daesh turned Palmyra's ancient amphitheater into a site for public executions, and its terrorists beheaded the city's 82-year-old former antiquities chief there.

In recent months, Syrian army, backed by the Russian air power, has been making major gains against Takfiri groups, recapturing several strategic areas from their grip, particularly in the strategic northern province of Aleppo.

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