With support from Russian air forces, the Syrian army drove out Islamic State militants from Palmyra on Sunday, since the extremists captured the city last May.
State media are reporting that Syrian government forces are now in full control of the historic city of Palmyra, which has been in the control of the Islamic State since last May.
Syrian TV quoted the state’s military command as saying it has restored “security and stability” to Palmyra, and that the recapture marks the beginning of the Islamic State’s collapse, according to Reuters.
It’s the conclusion of an operation that began earlier this week, and has been slowed by booby traps planted by retreating militants.
Islamic State militants seized the central Syrian city of Palmyra ten months ago, and have since continued to kill suspected regime supporters and civilians, as well as destroy ancient sites and artifacts.
Palmyra is a strategically important location along a desert highway in central Syria. Retaking the city would mean cutting off a key route to the sprawling ISIS heartland, which spans across the Iraqi border to the east.
But it’s also symbolic — Palmyra has been a visible staging ground for ISIS’ public killings and propaganda videos, and the city is rich with cultural significance.
