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Islamic State fighters 're-enter ancient Palmyra' in Syria Islamic State fighters 're-enter ancient Palmyra' in Syria
(about 1 hour later)
Islamic State group fighters have re-entered Palmyra, nine months after losing the ancient Syrian desert city, activists say.Islamic State group fighters have re-entered Palmyra, nine months after losing the ancient Syrian desert city, activists say.
IS held Palmyra and its nearby ruins for 10 months before it was recaptured by Syrian government forces in March.IS held Palmyra and its nearby ruins for 10 months before it was recaptured by Syrian government forces in March.
But the jihadist group launched an offensive earlier this week.But the jihadist group launched an offensive earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Russian-backed Syrian government forces are closing in on the remaining rebel-held area of the city of Aleppo.Meanwhile, Russian-backed Syrian government forces are closing in on the remaining rebel-held area of the city of Aleppo.
Civilians are said to be streaming out of the city in large numbers.Civilians are said to be streaming out of the city in large numbers.
US urges 'grace' as Aleppo's fall nearsUS urges 'grace' as Aleppo's fall nears
IS 'loses 50,000 fighters in two years'IS 'loses 50,000 fighters in two years'
Why IS militants destroy ancient sitesWhy IS militants destroy ancient sites
US Secretary of State John Kerry, speaking after a meeting in Paris of governments that back the Syrian opposition, urged Syria and Russia to "show a little grace" as they neared their objective.US Secretary of State John Kerry, speaking after a meeting in Paris of governments that back the Syrian opposition, urged Syria and Russia to "show a little grace" as they neared their objective.
Lightning offensiveLightning offensive
Syrian government forces were backed by the Russian military when they recaptured Palmyra and its famed ancient Roman ruins from IS earlier this year.Syrian government forces were backed by the Russian military when they recaptured Palmyra and its famed ancient Roman ruins from IS earlier this year.
The two militaries have since turned their attention to fighting local opposition forces in Aleppo and Damascus, Associated Press reports.The two militaries have since turned their attention to fighting local opposition forces in Aleppo and Damascus, Associated Press reports.
Regrouping in the shadows, by Tomos Morgan, BBC News, Beirut
Even though Islamic State was driven out of Palmyra earlier this year - it's understood they never completely left the area.
They were regrouping in the shadows, waiting, for the perfect opportunity to strike.
And, whilst the eyes of the world, and the might of Syrian pro-government forces, were focused on Aleppo, they struck.
Palmyra has been seen as a strategic location for IS, due to its close proximity to oil fields.
Syrian government reinforcements were sent from Aleppo to fight in this new battle earlier this week.
Rebels groups in the country's second city claim that any more government fighters moving south would hinder President Bashar al-Assad's efforts in Aleppo.
Just as it appeared one fight was nearing its end for Mr Assad, another has only just begun.
The activist-run Palmyra Co-ordination Collective said IS militants had seized the city's military warehouse and its northern and western districts after taking government positions, oilfields and strategic heights in the surrounding countryside in a three-day campaign.The activist-run Palmyra Co-ordination Collective said IS militants had seized the city's military warehouse and its northern and western districts after taking government positions, oilfields and strategic heights in the surrounding countryside in a three-day campaign.
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said IS fighters had reached the city's hospital and its strategically located wheat silos.The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said IS fighters had reached the city's hospital and its strategically located wheat silos.
"IS entered Palmyra on Saturday and now occupies its north-west," said Rami Abdel Rahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights."IS entered Palmyra on Saturday and now occupies its north-west," said Rami Abdel Rahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
"There is also fighting with the army in the city centre," he added."There is also fighting with the army in the city centre," he added.
In other developments:In other developments:
IS destroyed a number of monuments and beheaded the archaeological director during its 10-month occupation of the Unesco World Heritage site and the adjacent city of Tadmur.IS destroyed a number of monuments and beheaded the archaeological director during its 10-month occupation of the Unesco World Heritage site and the adjacent city of Tadmur.
Two 2,000-year-old temples, an arch and funerary towers were left in ruins.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.
While some treasured monuments were destroyed, much of the historic site was left undamaged.While some treasured monuments were destroyed, much of the historic site was left undamaged.
The city was reclaimed with the support of air strikes by the Russian air force.The city was reclaimed with the support of air strikes by the Russian air force.
IS subsequently lost large amounts of territory across Syria and Iraq.IS subsequently lost large amounts of territory across Syria and Iraq.