ISIS on the retreat as Syrian forces push deeper into historic town

Syrian troops backed by Russian ground and air forces pushed deeper into the Islamic State group stronghold of Palmyra on Saturday. The day after announcing they had recaptured the historic citadel at the heart of the town, they were still battling ISIS fighters in northern and western neighborhoods. In a boost to their campaign, regime forces captured the town of Al-Amiriyah on the northern outskirts of Palmyra, the strategically located ancient city.

The battle for Palmyra is in the final stages, as fighting is now inside the city itself.

Syrian military source to AFP

Palmyra, affectionately known as the “bride of the desert,” used to attract tens of thousands of tourists every year. ISIS drove out government forces in a matter of days and later demolished some of the best-known monuments in the UNESCO world heritage site. Retaking the town would be a major victory for president Bashar Assad’s government and its allies, including Russia which has withdrawn much of its firepower from the country. However, a military source said Russia was “widely involved in the battle for Palmyra, whether in fighting directly on the ground, with their planes, or by intercepting communication” among IS fighters.

City fighting doesn’t need heavy air power. Instead, it needs heavy artillery power - and that’s what we are noticing now whether it’s from the Russians or from the Syrian army.

Syrian military source

Palmyra