The Syrian army has also cut all the supply routes from Palmyra to Deir Ezzur and Raqqa provinces and also the strategic town of al-Quaryatayn in the Eastern part of Homs province.
It is reported that the Syrian army and popular forces have occupied over 175 square kilometers of previously ISIS controlled areas in the ancient city of Palmyra and its countryside.
According to the report, the Syrian army has also cut all the supply routes from Palmyra to Deir Ezzur and Raqqa provinces and also the strategic town of al-Quaryatayn in the Eastern part of Homs province.
It is also reported that ISIS has sustained heavy casualties and losses in hardware in the fierce battle against the Syrian army forces in Palmyra.
The General Command of the Syrian Army and Armed Forces yesterday declared that that the Palmyra and the mountains and hills overlooking it came under the army’s full control.
“Security and stability has been restored to Palmyra following a series of precise and effective military operations that were carried out by the army units with the help of the popular defense groups, being backed by the Syrian and Russian Air Forces,” the Army Command said in a statement.
Now, when Palmyra is liberated, the SAA and its allies will likely advance through the Palmyra-Sukhna-Deir Ezzor road in order to break ISIS siege from the Deir Ezzor. According to reports, ISIS has already started to set new a defense line at Al Sukhna to prevent the Syrian forces’ advances there.
However, before the advance on Deir Ezzor, the Syrian forces need to consolidate their positions in the ancient city and dismantle IEDs set by militants. An additional option is Palmyra’s airport. Depends on its condition, the airport could be used as an important supply line after some repair works.
Since May 2015, Palmyra, a historic Syrian city, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, has been under control of ISIS terrorists.
The agreement was negotiated by Russia and the United States. Many suggest that Washington is among the main supporters of terrorists fighting against the Syrian government forces.
Nevertheless, the Arab country is currently observing an agreement for the cessation of hostilities which entered into force on February 27. The agreement stipulates the cessation of all military hostilities in Syria, except for the operations against ISIS terrorist group and al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front militants.
