Syrian Government: We Have Recaptured Palmyra from ISIS

A military official of the Syrian government stated that Bashar al-Assad's forces have successfully regained complete control of Palmyra from the group known as the 'Islamic State'. According to a report by AFP, on April 8, a military official from the central Syrian government said, 'Following intense battles last night, the army (of the central Syrian government) has fully taken control of Palmyra.' This military official from Damascus stated that 'both the ancient and residential parts of the city' have fallen into the hands of Bashar al-Assad's forces. The AFP report cites the Syrian military official saying that the central government forces are in the process of defusing 'dozens of bombs and mines within the ancient city.' Reuters also reported similar news citing state media and monitoring groups. According to the Syrian army, ISIS militants have retreated towards Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, and Sukhnah. Just hours prior, the Syrian government announced significant advances in this ancient Syrian city, stating that with the support of Russian military aircraft, three important areas within Palmyra have been reclaimed from ISIS. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, over 55 pro-Assad forces were killed during last week's battles for control of Palmyra. Palmyra had been under the control of the self-proclaimed Islamic Caliphate since the last days of summer 2015. Dr. Mamoun Abdulkarim, the director of the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums of Syria, expressed optimism in an article for The Guardian regarding the reconstruction of the damaged parts of the ancient city of Palmyra. Following the capture of Palmyra, the 'Islamic State' detonated parts of it and executed some of its prisoners and civilians in its ruins, filming and photographing these acts and posting them on social media. Palmyra was once one of the most important centers of contemporary human civilization, where people from various parts of the world engaged in cultural exchange and trade.