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Palmyra: Syrian forces advance against IS Palmyra: Syrian forces 'enter' IS-held town
(about 1 hour later)
Syrian government forces have reached the outskirts of Palmyra, as they seek to retake the ancient city from so-called Islamic State (IS). Syrian government forces have entered the ancient city of Palmyra, pushing back militants from so-called Islamic State (IS), activists say.
The troops and their allies, backed by Russian air airstrikes, are within a few kilometres of the west of the city, state media and activists say. The troops and their allies, backed by Russian air airstrikes, have reportedly seized part of a neighbourhood in the west of the city.
The jihadists recaptured the Unesco-listed archaeological site in December from government forces.The jihadists recaptured the Unesco-listed archaeological site in December from government forces.
Parts of the ancient city have been destroyed by the militants.Parts of the ancient city have been destroyed by the militants.
The pro-government forces seized some hilltops overlooking Palmyra and a strategic area known as the "Palmyra triangle", the official Sana news agency reported. There were clashes and heavy shelling across the historic city as the offensive unfolded, the UK-based monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
A media unit run by the allied Lebanese Hezbollah movement later said they had reached the citadel, which sits on a hill overlooking the famous Roman-era ruins. A media unit run by the allied Lebanese Hezbollah movement said earlier that the pro-government forces had reached the citadel, which sits on a hill overlooking the famous Roman-era ruins.
IS fighters had withdrawn from the area, but suicide bombers might still be there, the UK-based monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The Syrian government troops also seized a strategic area known as the "Palmyra triangle", the official Sana news agency reported.
IS held the ruins and the nearby city, known locally as Tadmur, for 10 months after seizing it for the first time in May 2015. It blew up temples, burial towers and the Arch of Triumph, believing shrines and statues to be idolatrous.IS held the ruins and the nearby city, known locally as Tadmur, for 10 months after seizing it for the first time in May 2015. It blew up temples, burial towers and the Arch of Triumph, believing shrines and statues to be idolatrous.
They also destroyed the Temple of Bel - the great sanctuary of the Palmyrene gods - which had been one of the most important religious buildings of the 1st Century AD in the East.They also destroyed the Temple of Bel - the great sanctuary of the Palmyrene gods - which had been one of the most important religious buildings of the 1st Century AD in the East.
Ancient city of PalmyraAncient city of Palmyra
The militants were then forced out by a Russian-backed government offensive in March 2016, but regained control while pro-government forces where focused on battling for the city of Aleppo late last year.The militants were then forced out by a Russian-backed government offensive in March 2016, but regained control while pro-government forces where focused on battling for the city of Aleppo late last year.
In January, satellite images revealed that the group destroyed the tetrapylon - a group of four pillared structures which were mainly modern replicas - and part of the Roman Theatre.In January, satellite images revealed that the group destroyed the tetrapylon - a group of four pillared structures which were mainly modern replicas - and part of the Roman Theatre.
Meanwhile, the US said positions held by the their allies of the Syrian Arab Coalition were bombed by Russian and Syrian aircraft near the IS-held town of al-Bab, in northern Syria.Meanwhile, the US said positions held by the their allies of the Syrian Arab Coalition were bombed by Russian and Syrian aircraft near the IS-held town of al-Bab, in northern Syria.
"I believe they thought were held by ISIS, yet they were actually - on the ground - were some of our Syrian Arab coalition forces," Lt Gen Stephen Townsend told reporters, using an acronym for IS."I believe they thought were held by ISIS, yet they were actually - on the ground - were some of our Syrian Arab coalition forces," Lt Gen Stephen Townsend told reporters, using an acronym for IS.