Expert: Syrian Army to Liberate ISIL-Held Palmyra Soon

The expert said that the army has now imposed control over most of the key heights near Palmyra and has deployed forces only 5km away from the city from the direction of the Palmyra Triangle, enabling the pro-government forces to carry out the final phase of the liberation operation in the historic city.

A field commander meantime said that ISIL’s defense lines have completely collapsed following heavy attacks by the army’s artillery units and aircraft, adding that it would speed up the government forces’ advances in the Palmyra operation.

On Monday, the army soldiers continued to hit ISIL’s defense lines West of Palmyra and managed to take control over al-Maqaleh height and the town of al-Tamthil, deploying forces close to Jabal (mount) al-Tar overlooking the ancient city’s gateway.

In the meantime, the army men could advance against ISIL from the direction of Mount al-Hayel and captured several hills overlooking the Palmyra Triangle Southwest of the city.

Elsewhere in the same province, the army’s artillery units and aircraft pounded the positions of Al-Nusra Front (recently renamed to Fatah al-Sham Front) and other terrorist groups in al-Wa’er settlement in the Northwestern countryside of Homs city and in the villages and towns of al-Farhaniyeh, al-Qantou, Deir Foul and Talbiseh in Northern Homs, inflicting major losses on the terrorists.