After days of fighting, Syrian Government forces backed by Russian airstrikes, have re-taken the ancient city of Palmyra from the Islamic State.
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights director, Rami Abdulrahman confirmed that over 400 Islamic State militants where killed, with around 180 government soldiers and allied fighters also dying in the battle.
The loss has been described by many as one of the largest setbacks for the Islamic State since they declared their caliphate in 2014 and is vital due to the geographical location of the city. Palmyra is seen as a gateway to Islamic State heartland. Syrian and Russian forces can now launch large-scale offensives on IS strongholds in Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor.
Speaking to Syrian Arab News Agency, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stated that: “This is an important achievement and new evidence of the effectiveness of the strategy followed by the Syrian army and its allies in the war against terrorism.”
“The effectiveness of this strategy is further highlighted especially as opposed to the US-led coalition involving more than sixty countries and its lack of seriousness in fighting terrorism and the very little it has achieved since its establishment one and a half years ago.” Assad added.
Syrian forces lost Palmyra after a weeklong siege from Islamic State late last May, with the fall of the historic city sparking worldwide concern as it contained some of the best preserved ruins from antiquity.
With the city under their control, Islamic State destroyed two of its great temples and a Roman triumphal archway, arguing that these ancient monuments were idolatrous. They also beheaded the cities former head of antiquities, Khaled al-Asaad and hang his body on display afterwards.
Although the extent of the damage to Palmyra is far from clear, initial reports suggest that officials are surprised and optimistic about what they’re finding. “We were expecting the worst. But the landscape in general is in good shape,” said Maamoun Abdulkarim, director general of antiquities in Syria.
Since the capture of Palmyra, The Syrian Army, while backed by Russian warplanes, have continued their offensive attacking Islamic State held towns to the north-east and south-west of the city.