ISIS militia ‘retake part of Palmyra’ nine months after being driven out of ancient Syrian city
Terror group also claims to have shot down a Syrian warplane near the historic site
ISIS fighters today re-entered Syria's ancient desert city of Palmyra eight months after they were driven out.
The jihadis have been advancing on the historic site since Thursday, when they launched a “surprise” attack on Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad’s forces and pro-government Shia militias.
If the terror group does manage to take back total control of Palmyra, it will be a huge win for them following months of losses in Syria, Iraq and Libya.
Activists have been warning of Isis’ advance for several days.
The Amaq “news agency” released footage of battles appearing to show Isis fighters advancing against the Syrian army through the desert on Saturday.
Isis claimed it had taken control of at least 15 army checkpoints as well as oil and gas fields in the surrounding desert, including the al-Muhr Gas Company, and seized several tanks.
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The militants also say they shot down a Syrian warplane near to the Jazal oil fields to the west of the world heritage city.
The group’s propaganda claimed fighters had captured areas including Huwaysis, Shair, Jazal and Jahar, killing around 200 Syrian army and militia members and capturing several more.
Isis’ claims included no casualty figures for its own fighters but observers say at least 49 pro-government troops had been killed in the advance.
Meanwhile, regime forces reportedly have the bodies of at least eight Isis fighters killed in battles, as well as killing others in air strikes and bombardment.
Regime planes and helicopters were continuing bombing on Saturday, the Observatory said, while reinforcements were arriving to mount a counter-attack against Isis.
Isis overran Palmyra in May 2015, implementing its brutal interpretation of Sharia law on residents and using the city’s famed ancient ruins as the backdrop for a series of gory executions.
Isis was eventually driven out of the city in March following a long Syrian army offensive backed by Russian air strikes.