The Syrian Army and the National Defense Forces have reportedly managed to regain full control of the strategic Palmyra-Homs highway from Daesh (ISIS) terrorists in the center of the country.
A general view taken on May 18, 2015 shows the castle of the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra. AFP
The strategic Palmyra-Homs highway has been won back by the Syrian Army and the National Defense Forces after fierce fighting with Daesh (ISIS/ISIL) militants in central Syria, media reports said.
The Syrian forces took control of the highway after capturing the villages of al-Baiyarat and Marhatten in Palmyra’s western countryside late last week, according to FNA.
Right now, the Syrian Army and its allies are stationed about four kilometers from the western walls of Palmyra, the closest the government troops forces have been to the gates of this ancient UNESCO-listed city since July 2015, FNA reported.
Earlier, Syrian and Russian warplanes had launched a volley of airstrikes at militant strongholds close to Palmyra ahead of a major military operation to free the city.
Damascus-led forces carried out missions in al-Sukhneh, al-Sawaneh and Khneifis in the province of Homs, killing an unspecified number of terrorists and destroying the militants’ infrastructure.
The ancient Syrian city of Palmyra
Palmyra, home to monumental ruins and priceless antiquities, has been on the verge of total destruction since May 2015, when the militants, notorious for reducing cultural sites to rubble, captured the strategically important city.
Although militants did not level Palmyra at the time, they have since destroyed several ancient monuments and are unlikely to stop.
The Temple of Bel, Baalshamin temple and the Arch of Triumph are among the priceless pieces of ancient art which have already been lost. The temples were destroyed in August and the gateway built by the Romans was blown up in October.
Russia's air campaign kicked off on September 30, when more than fifty Russian aircraft, including Su-24M, Su-25 and Su-34 warplanes, commenced precision airstrikes on ISIS targets in Syria at the behest of Syrian President Bashar Assad; Sputnik reported.
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