Syrian Army Advances Towards Al-Qaryatayn Town

Syrian army forces continued their attacks against the Islamic State (ISIS) by consolidating their positions in Palmyra. On Monday, April 9, AFP reported, citing Syrian military sources, that the army is currently focused on the town of Al-Qaryatayn, near Palmyra, and is set to begin operations to reclaim this town today. The Syrian army, with Russian support and the backing of pro-Assad militias, managed to finally retake the ancient city of Palmyra, which had been under ISIS control for the past ten months. Bashar al-Assad described this as 'evidence of the efficiency of the Syrian army and its allies in the fight against terrorism.' Reports indicate that following this victory, the Syrian army is advancing towards other towns near Palmyra that are still under ISIS control, including Al-Qaryatayn, which fell to ISIS last summer. According to a military source not named by AFP, the next target for the Syrian army is Al-Qaryatayn, while also focusing on the town of Al-Sukhnah, located near Palmyra in Homs province. Rami Abdulrahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, refers to Al-Sukhnah as the gateway to the oil-rich Deir ez-Zor province, which is considered a main stronghold for ISIS. If the Syrian army can reclaim Al-Sukhnah, it will pave the way towards Deir ez-Zor. Abdulrahman previously called the battle for Palmyra decisive, stating that if Palmyra is reclaimed, ISIS will automatically lose the desert areas leading to the Iraqi border, which covers about 30,000 square kilometers. Although ISIS has now retreated from Palmyra, it has left significant destruction in this ancient city, with the head of Syria's antiquities department stating that the reconstruction of statues and historical buildings will take about five years. During its control of Palmyra, the extremist group blew up several temples and ancient tombs, which was condemned by the international community.