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Syrian forces battle to reclaim ancient Palmyra from Islamic State Syrian forces battle to reclaim ancient Palmyra from Islamic State
(about 3 hours later)
BEIRUT — Backed by Russian air power, Syrian troops on Thursday appeared close to storming Islamic State-held Palmyra, a historically significant city whose capture by the militants last May shocked the world.BEIRUT — Backed by Russian air power, Syrian troops on Thursday appeared close to storming Islamic State-held Palmyra, a historically significant city whose capture by the militants last May shocked the world.
Syrian state media reported that ground forces have advanced on the outskirts of the desert city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site about 150 miles northwest of the capital, Damascus.Syrian state media reported that ground forces have advanced on the outskirts of the desert city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site about 150 miles northwest of the capital, Damascus.
[The ancient city facing modern scourge from Islamic State][The ancient city facing modern scourge from Islamic State]
State television said troops have already battled their way inside the city, the Reuters news agency reported, although an activist group that monitors Syria’s civil war said the fighting is still at the edges.State television said troops have already battled their way inside the city, the Reuters news agency reported, although an activist group that monitors Syria’s civil war said the fighting is still at the edges.
Seizing Palmyra from the Islamic State would be a symbolic victory for Russia’s military intervention in the conflict to prop up Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.Seizing Palmyra from the Islamic State would be a symbolic victory for Russia’s military intervention in the conflict to prop up Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Moscow’s warplanes have altered the course of the civil war, inflicting heavy damage on the Syrian leader’s opponents and helping propel diplomatic momentum for peace talks in Geneva that began this month.Moscow’s warplanes have altered the course of the civil war, inflicting heavy damage on the Syrian leader’s opponents and helping propel diplomatic momentum for peace talks in Geneva that began this month.
Palmyra — a tourist destination before the war — is home to iconic, 2,000-year-old ruins that have been blown up, defaced and used as forums for mass executions by the militant group. The group regularly targets pre-Islamic artifacts and other symbols of multiculturalism.Palmyra — a tourist destination before the war — is home to iconic, 2,000-year-old ruins that have been blown up, defaced and used as forums for mass executions by the militant group. The group regularly targets pre-Islamic artifacts and other symbols of multiculturalism.
Palmyra’s recapture also may have material benefit for Assad. Controlling the area would bring his forces closer to retaking oil infrastructure in the country’s east that are controlled by the Islamic State.Palmyra’s recapture also may have material benefit for Assad. Controlling the area would bring his forces closer to retaking oil infrastructure in the country’s east that are controlled by the Islamic State.
Read more:Read more:
Palmyra’s Temple of Bel withstood 2,000 years of war and invasions — until the Islamic State
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