Just two days after seizing Palmyra from ISIS, Syrian Army advanced southwest towards the terrorist-held town of Al-Qaryatain.

They seized a series of hilltops overlooking the town during the night and battled ISIS terrorists into the afternoon, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The Britain-based monitor said the troops were backed by both Syrian and Russian air raids.

ISIS seized Al-Qaryatain in August 2015, kidnapping at least 230 people, including dozens of Christians, and razing its famed Mar Elian monastery.

The town lies on a key road linking Palmyra with the Qalamun region of Damascus province to the west.

Government forces overran Palmyra on Sunday and vowed to use the city as a launch pad for military operations against other ISIS-held towns in the area.

A military source told AFP on Monday that Al-Qaryatain was "the next goal for the Syrian army" as it consolidated its control around Palmyra.

In September, Moscow deployed its air force to back fighters loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. It has drawn down its forces in recent weeks but has vowed to keep striking "terrorist groups" like ISIS.

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