This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/27/syrian-regime-forces-retake-all-of-palmyra-from-isis

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Syrian regime forces retake 'all of Palmyra' from Isis Syrian regime forces retake 'all of Palmyra' from Isis
(about 1 hour later)
Syrian government forces have retaken all of Palmyra in a major victory over the Islamic State jihadist group. Syrian government forces have retaken all of Palmyra in a major victory over the Islamic State jihadi group.
“After heavy fighting during the night, the army is in full control of Palmyra – both the ancient site and the residential neighbourhoods,” a military source said.“After heavy fighting during the night, the army is in full control of Palmyra – both the ancient site and the residential neighbourhoods,” a military source said.
Related: ‘Palmyra will rise again. We have to send a message to terrorists’Related: ‘Palmyra will rise again. We have to send a message to terrorists’
Isis fighters pulled out on Sunday morning, retreating to the towns of Sukhnah, Raqqa and Deir Ezzor to the east. Isis fighters pulled out on Sunday morning, retreating to the towns of Sukhnah, Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor to the east.
“Army sappers are in the process of defusing dozens of bombs and mines planted inside the ancient site,” the source added.“Army sappers are in the process of defusing dozens of bombs and mines planted inside the ancient site,” the source added.
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said there was still gunfire in the eastern part of the city on Sunday morning but the bulk of the Islamic State force had pulled out and retreated east, leaving Palmyra under government control.The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said there was still gunfire in the eastern part of the city on Sunday morning but the bulk of the Islamic State force had pulled out and retreated east, leaving Palmyra under government control.
The announcement came after Syrian troops backed by Russian ground and air forces on Saturday pushed deeper into the Isis stronghold.The announcement came after Syrian troops backed by Russian ground and air forces on Saturday pushed deeper into the Isis stronghold.
After capturing the town of Al-Amiriyah on the city’s northern outskirts, regime forces fought their way into Palmyra’s northern and western districts.After capturing the town of Al-Amiriyah on the city’s northern outskirts, regime forces fought their way into Palmyra’s northern and western districts.
“The battle for Palmyra is in the final stages, as fighting is now inside the city itself,” a Syrian military source on the outskirts of Palmyra said earlier on Saturday.“The battle for Palmyra is in the final stages, as fighting is now inside the city itself,” a Syrian military source on the outskirts of Palmyra said earlier on Saturday.
Drone footage released by a Russian television station showed collapsed archeological structures in the sprawling Greco-Roman old city but with the amphitheatre largely intact. Drone footage released by a Russian television station showed collapsed archaeological structures in the sprawling Greco-Roman old city but with the amphitheatre largely intact.
Even as clashes raged in residential neighbourhoods on Saturday, the ruins remained eerily quiet, without a single fighter in sight.Even as clashes raged in residential neighbourhoods on Saturday, the ruins remained eerily quiet, without a single fighter in sight.
The military source said the site was likely “rigged with explosives” and being watched by nearby Isis snipers.The military source said the site was likely “rigged with explosives” and being watched by nearby Isis snipers.
Russia was “widely involved in the battle for Palmyra, whether in fighting directly on the ground, with their planes, or by intercepting communication” among Isis fighters, the 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 Isis fighters, the source said.
Isis overran the Palmyra ruins and adjacent modern city in May 2015, sparking a global outcry and fears for the Unesco world heritage site known as the “Pearl of the Desert”.Isis overran the Palmyra ruins and adjacent modern city in May 2015, sparking a global outcry and fears for the Unesco world heritage site known as the “Pearl of the Desert”.
The group has since blown up Unesco-listed temples and looted relics that dated back thousands of years.The group has since blown up Unesco-listed temples and looted relics that dated back thousands of years.
It used Palmyra’s ancient amphitheatre as a venue for public executions, including the beheading of the city’s 82-year-old former antiquities chief.It used Palmyra’s ancient amphitheatre as a venue for public executions, including the beheading of the city’s 82-year-old former antiquities chief.
Government forces began their large-scale offensive to retake Palmyra earlier this month, but this weekend marked the most significant advance yet.Government forces began their large-scale offensive to retake Palmyra earlier this month, but this weekend marked the most significant advance yet.
“This is the fiercest offensive in the last three weeks,” said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the SOHR, which monitors the war.“This is the fiercest offensive in the last three weeks,” said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the SOHR, which monitors the war.
The government’s capture of Palmyra builds on gains made by pro-regime forces in the city’s southwestern outskirts in recent days. The government’s capture of Palmyra builds on gains made by pro-regime forces in the city’s south-western outskirts in recent days.
The source said victory in Palmyra would give the regime’s army confidence as it prepares to move towards Raqqa.The source said victory in Palmyra would give the regime’s army confidence as it prepares to move towards Raqqa.
The northern city is the de facto capital of Isis’s self-styled “caliphate” which covers swathes of territory in Syria and neighbouring Iraq. The northern city is the de facto capital of Isis’s self-styled “caliphate” which covers swaths of territory in Syria and neighbouring Iraq.
With the road linking Palmyra to Raqqa now under army control, Isis fighters in the ancient city can only retreat eastwards towards the Iraqi border.With the road linking Palmyra to Raqqa now under army control, Isis fighters in the ancient city can only retreat eastwards towards the Iraqi border.