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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Russian military adviser dies in Palmyra |
| 2016-03-18 |
| HOMS – Radical group of the Islamic State (ISIS) claimed Thursday its fighters were able to kill a Russian military adviser in the ancient city of Palmyra in the province of Homs, central Syria, during battles with pro-regime forces supported by Russian and Iranian infantry. The ISIS-linked Aamaq news agency released a video showing the dead body of a man stained with blood and equipment seized from him. In the footage, the group claimed the corpse belongs to a Russian officer with individual military equipment and medicines that carry Russian writings. This comes just one day after fierce battles between ISIS and the Syria army forces with the support of Russian warplanes and Iranian and Russian infantry troops, according to local activists. Speaking to ARA News in Homs, media activist Fadi al-Amer said the pro-regime forces were able to advance in the western districts of Palmyra, seizing control of the ad-Duwwa area subsequent to clashes with ISIS. The regime’s forces also recaptured the hills ‘800’ and ‘900’ in Palmyra suburbs earlier on Wednesday. In the meantime, ISIS launched several counterattacks on the oilfields of Shaer and Jazel in a bid to compensate its losses in Palmyra suburbs. Palmyra and its countryside are witnessing fierce military operations waged by the Syrian army forces with the support of the Russian and Iranian troops. In May 2015, ISIS took over Palmyra and since then it was able to destroy many ancient treasures, blowing up temples and shrines considering them as blasphemous symbols of ancient religions. Despite Russia’s relative withdrawal from Syria, President Putin announced that enough forces would remain to fight ISIS, particularly to help pro-regime forces retake Palmyra. |
| Posted by:badanov |