Assad hails Palmyra recapture from IS

President Bashar al-Assad has hailed the recapture of Palmyra from so-called Islamic State (IS) as an “important achievement” in the “war on terrorism”. A monitoring group has backed the Syrian government’s claim that the city was recaptured overnight by the army. Military sources say the Syrian army now has “full control”. It had been gaining […]

President Bashar al-Assad has hailed the recapture of Palmyra from so-called Islamic State (IS) as an “important achievement” in the “war on terrorism”.
A monitoring group has backed the Syrian government’s claim that the city was recaptured overnight by the army.
Military sources say the Syrian army now has “full control”. It had been gaining ground for several days, supported by Russian air strikes.
President Assad said this showed the success of the army’s strategy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Mr Assad, a Kremlin spokesman said.
The Kremlin said President Assad knew the Palmyra operation “would have been impossible without Russia’s support”.
Palmyra is situated in a strategically important area on the road between the capital, Damascus, and the contested eastern city of Deir al-Zour.