Syria

‘Syrian army jets bombard Daesh positions, kill 38’

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Syrian fighter jets have reportedly launched a series of aerial strikes against the positions of Takfiri Daesh (ISIL) militants in the country’s embattled central province of Homs, killing over three dozen terrorists and injuring many more.

Syrian military aircraft pounded Daesh positions in the ancient city of Palmyra, located 215 kilometers (133 miles) northeast of the capital, Damascus, and two other towns late on Monday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The aerial attacks came only four days after Syrian army jets carried out at least 25 airstrikes on terrorist positions in the Daesh-held city.

On May 21, Daesh took control of Palmyra, which is on the list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s World Heritage Sites.

Palmyra and Tadmur, the modern town that adjoins it, have been the scene of recent fighting between Syrian government troops and Daesh militants.

This file photo shows an aerial view of a part of the world-renowned ancient Syrian city of Palmyra. (Photo by AFP)

 

UNESCO has appealed to Syria’s warring factions to “make every effort to prevent” Palmyra’s destruction. Daesh has, however, ignored the calls and destroyed some of the city’s most famous antiquities, including the temples of Bel and Baal Shamin.

On August 18, Daesh extremists beheaded 81-year-old Khaled Asaad, who worked for more than 50 years as head of antiquities in Palmyra. Asaad’s mutilated body was then hung in public.

The conflict in Syria, which started in March 2011, has reportedly claimed more than 240,000 lives up until now.

The violence has also forced over 3.8 million Syrians to take refuge in neighboring countries, including Jordan and Lebanon. More than 7.2 million others have been displaced within Syria, according to the United Nations (UN).

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