Islamic State Group Begins Advance Towards Ancient City of Palmyra

Members of the Islamic State group began their advance towards the ancient city of Palmyra on Wednesday, May 11, posing a threat for the reoccupation of this city which was captured by the Syrian army a few weeks ago. According to the Associated Press, ISIS fighters have seized a rocket launch site belonging to government forces near an airbase 60 kilometers from Palmyra. This launch site is described as uninhabited and devoid of military personnel. This location serves as a highway for government forces between Palmyra and the 'T4' airbase, as well as the city of Homs, and poses a threat to the supply of weapons and provisions for these forces. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in London, has confirmed the advance of the Islamic State group towards Palmyra. ISIS and forces loyal to the Damascus government have been engaged in intense battles near this airbase in recent days. A week ago, ISIS fighters also advanced towards natural gas fields in northern Syria. Radio Al-Bayan, affiliated with the Islamic State group, has also announced that ISIS forces have taken control of the rocket launch site and occupied two government checkpoints near the airbase. They have also claimed to have shot down an army helicopter north of this airbase. Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the crash of a government aircraft but stated that there is no information on the fate of the pilot and crew. Radio Al-Bayan has reported that the occupation of the supply and ammunition route by ISIS has tightened the siege of the city of Palmyra. Syrian forces, with the help of Russian fighter jets, managed to liberate the ancient city of Palmyra from ISIS occupation in March. The Islamic State group held this city for about 10 months, during which time they destroyed many of its ancient artifacts and statues and displaced thousands of its residents.