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Palmyra: Syria forces 'retake' Islamic State-held city Palmyra: Syria forces 'retake' Islamic State-held city
(about 1 hour later)
Syrian government forces have re-captured the ancient city of Palmyra from so-called Islamic State (IS), say state media and a monitoring group.Syrian government forces have re-captured the ancient city of Palmyra from so-called Islamic State (IS), say state media and a monitoring group.
An army representative told Syrian state TV that the recapture of Palmyra marks the beginning of IS' collapse.
The Syrian army had been gaining ground for several days, supported by Russian air strikes. Military sources say the army now has "full control".The Syrian army had been gaining ground for several days, supported by Russian air strikes. Military sources say the army now has "full control".
IS seized the Unesco World Heritage site and modern town in May 2015.IS seized the Unesco World Heritage site and modern town in May 2015.
Images released by the Syrian military on Saturday showed helicopters and tanks firing at positions in Palmyra.Images released by the Syrian military on Saturday showed helicopters and tanks firing at positions in Palmyra.
The date of the footage could not be independently verified.The date of the footage could not be independently verified.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, said there was still gunfire in the eastern part of the city, but the bulk of the IS force had pulled out and retreated further east.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, said there was still gunfire in the eastern part of the city, but the bulk of the IS force had pulled out and retreated further east.
Why IS militants destroy ancient sitesWhy IS militants destroy ancient sites
Palmyra and the logic of lossPalmyra and the logic of loss
In a statement released on Saturday, Russia's defence ministry said the strikes hit 158 IS targets, killing more than 100 militants.In a statement released on Saturday, Russia's defence ministry said the strikes hit 158 IS targets, killing more than 100 militants.
The BBC's Arab affairs analyst Sebastian Usher says the city was important both symbolically and strategically, and its capture was a "major propaganda victory" for President Bashar al-Assad's forces, who could now point to it as evidence that they were attempting to fight against IS. A strategic victory - Sebastian Usher, BBC Arab affairs analyst
IS fighters have probably retreated to their stronghold Raqqa in eastern Syria, our analyst says. The Syrian government and Russian air power threw their full force behind the three-week offensive. The battle for Palmyra may not quite be over, but reports suggest that IS militants have mostly pulled out of the city.
He adds that militias, including the Lebanese group Hezbollah, who were "absolutely essential to the Syrian government throughout the war", had worked with Syrian and Russian forces in a three-week long offensive to take the city back. The world focus on Palmyra, fuelled by concern over the spectacular ancient ruins on its outskirts, means that this is a major propaganda coup for President Assad and Russia, as well as an important strategic victory.
The Syrian army general command says it shows that the army and its friends are the only force capable of combating and eradicating terrorism. That claim has long rung hollow in Western capitals, but the recapture of Palmyra and the rescue of what remains of its fabled ruins does give it some substance.
Destruction of ancient sitesDestruction of ancient sites
When IS seized the city it destroyed archaeological sites, drawing global outrage. Two 2,000-year-old temples, an arch and funerary towers were left in ruins.When IS seized the city it destroyed archaeological sites, drawing global outrage. Two 2,000-year-old temples, an arch and funerary towers were left in ruins.
The jihadist group, which has also demolished several pre-Islamic sites in neighbouring Iraq, believes that such structures are idolatrous.The jihadist group, which has also demolished several pre-Islamic sites in neighbouring Iraq, believes that such structures are idolatrous.
The prospect of the city's liberation was welcomed by Unesco, the UN's cultural agency, which has described the destruction of Palmyra as a war crime.The prospect of the city's liberation was welcomed by Unesco, the UN's cultural agency, which has described the destruction of Palmyra as a war crime.
The head of Syria's antiquities authority, Mamoun Abdelkarim, promised to repair as much of the damage as possible as a "message against terrorism".The head of Syria's antiquities authority, Mamoun Abdelkarim, promised to repair as much of the damage as possible as a "message against terrorism".
Ancient city of PalmyraAncient city of Palmyra
Palmyra: Blowing ruins to rubblePalmyra: Blowing ruins to rubble
Why IS destroys ancient sitesWhy IS destroys ancient sites