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ISIL, Syria’s Russian-backed army fight over Palmyra
[Hurriyet] Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants and Syria’s Russian-backed army fought over the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra on Dec. 11, with both sides claiming the upper hand. Russia said its jets had helped force the militants out of the city center overnight, and its allies in the Syrian army were now fighting off another assault by the hardline Islamists. But a news agency linked to ISIL said it had only briefly retreated and was now back in control of Palmyra, an account backed by the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the conflict, Reuters reported. Palmyra, the site of a Roman-era city and spectacular ruins in the center of Syria, has become an emblematic battleground in a civil war now in its sixth year. The Russian Defense Ministry said its jets had launched 64 strikes and killed more than 300 militants overnight, helping the Syrian army push the main force back. The Syrian army acknowledged there was a large offensive by the militants from several fronts near a major grain silo 10 kilometers (6 miles) east of the city. An ISIL recapture of Palmyra would be a major reversal for Syria’s government and its Russian backer which hailed the city’s capture in March, sent troops to protect it and even staged a concert there. The fight could also have implications for other battlegrounds in Syria. The Syrian army said on Dec. 10 it had sent reinforcements to Palmyra to help defend it. Some of those were diverted from Aleppo, a rebel from the countryside outside that northern city said, a development that could ease pressure on rebels there. Conflicting Narratives: ISIS captures Palmyra Russian language press claims Syrian troops are preparing a counterattack [ARA News] Homs – Militant fighters of the Islamic State (ISIS) on Sunday recaptured the Syrian ancient city of Palmyra after heavy clashes with army forces, activists and military sources reported. The Syrian army forces were forced to withdraw form the ancient city under heavy bombardment by ISIS. “The group continued shelling the army positions inside Palmyra with mortars and heavy artillery for hours, causing large losses in the army ranks,” local media activist Abas al-Omar told ARA News. Syrian regime’s forces were obliged to evacuate their headquarters in Palmyra, heading towards the Doua District and the T4 Military Airport in the eastern countryside of Homs. “The army withdrew after the clashes reached the city centre and it became impossible for them to push ISIS back,” al-Omar reported, citing a military source within the Syrian army. Dozens of Syrian soldiers were killed during the clashes on Sunday. ISIS has also taken a number of soldiers as prisoners. The fall of Palmyra in ISIS’ hands comes despite the Russian airstrikes in support of the Syrian regime’s forces. In May 2015, ISIS took over Palmyra for the first time after fierce battles with Syrian regime army forces. In March 2016, the pro-regime troops supported by Russian air force were able to impose full control over Palmyra downtown after ISIS extremists retreated towards the northern villages of Palmyra and its eastern outskirts. The group’s leadership has later ordered its militants to withdraw towards its main bastion of Raqqa, northeastern Syria. In August 2015, satellite images confirmed the destruction of the Baal Shamin temple in Syria’s ancient city of Palmyra, according to the United Nations, which condemned ISIS claims of destroying the temple. The U.N. has slammed the destruction of the temple as a “war crime,” and the act has raised concerns for the rest of the UNESCO World Heritage site. Also, ISIS published images last year, showing militants placing destroying ancient monuments in Palmyra arguing they were worshipped by people and must be smashed, according to ISIS ideology. Syrian Army Losing Ground To ISIS in Homs Subsequent to fierce clashes with Syrian Army forces, militant fighters of the Islamic State seized control of several areas in Syria’s central Homs Governorate on Saturday. ISIS militants launched a major offensive on military bases of the Syrian regime’s armed forces in the vicinity of al-Mahr oilfield, in Homs’ eastern countryside. The group shelled the army headquarters with mortar and artillery fire, forcing Syrian soldiers to evacuate main positions near al-Mahr. “At least 19 pro-regime soldiers were killed in Saturday’s offensive,” media activist Amro al-Hussein told ARA News in Homs, citing a military source. “The army was forced to retreat from the Ertiwaziyah District and al-Burj Hill, east of Homs. ISIS is now in control of both locations.” ISIS has repeatedly tried to storm the fortified hilltops which abut the al-Mahr oilfield, employing VBIEDs and suicide squads. Islamic State militants also seized control of three military checkpoints in eastern Homs after clashes with Syrian army forces on Saturday evening. ISIS has recently brought reinforcements to the eastern countryside of Homs in a bid to protect its positions and push into Homs City. However, the group’s movement has been considerably restricted in central Syria due to intensified Russian airstrikes, that often hit the ISIS’s tactical units and fighting positions in support of the Syrian regime’s forces. Syrian Army Wages Fierce Battle Repelling ISIL Attacks on Palmyra [AlManar] The Syrian army has been engaged in fierce battle in Palmyra, repelling attacks by the ISIL Takfiri terrorists launching attacks on the famed ancient city, Syrian news agency, SANA, reported on Sunday. Terrorists launched their previous attack on the city on Saturday. Their offensive was thwarted by the actions of the government forces supported by Russian warplanes. Despite the defeat, the terrorists are again trying to attack the city from the northern, eastern and southern sides. Their perceived goal is to capture al-Amiriyah town northeast of Palmyra and a nearby industrial area, the agency said. SANA meanwhile, noted that the Syrian Air Force has pounded the insurgents who “incurred significant losses”. For its part, Russia’s center for Syrian reconciliation said that ISIL managed to move considerable forces from Raqqa to Palmyra after the US-backed offensive of Arab and Kurdish militants was stalled. More forces and equipment were relocated from the vicinity of Deir ez-Zor. The Syrian Army backed by Russian aircraft is currently maintaining defense in the city. Terrorists launched their previous attack on the city on Saturday. Their offensive was thwarted by the actions of the government forces supported by Russian warplanes. The Syrian Arab Army, backed by the Russian Aerospace Forces, liberated Palmyra in March, 2016, nearly a year after it was captured by ISIL. During the invasion, the militants destroyed a number of ancient objects, including necropolis, the Arch of Triumph, as well as the temples of Baal Shamin and Bel. Rooshuns drop 80 airstrikes in Palmyra [AlManar] Russian war planes carried out over 60 strikes overnight on Syria’s Palmyra after ISIL Takfiri terrorists re-entered the famed ancient city, halting the offensive, Russia’s defense ministry said Sunday. “Russian air force planes carried out 64 air strikes against the positions, convoys and advancing reserves of militants,” a defense ministry statement said. “Over the past night, Syrian government troops with active support of the Russian air force thwarted all terrorist attacks on Palmyra,” it said. “The attacking militants actively used car bombs with suicide bombers, armored vehicles and rocket artillery,” it said, adding that the strikes killed more than 300 militants and destroyed 11 tanks and 31 vehicles. On Saturday the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human rights monitor said ISIL militants, who were forced out of Palmyra in March, took most of the city back under their control and surrounded the airport. Russia has carried out a bombing campaign in Syria under the request of the Syrian government since September 2015. The liberation of Palmyra was hailed as a major victory, with Russian celebrities travelling there since March staging concerts and making public appearances. Posted by: Steve White 2016-12-12 |
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