ISIS Back In Palmyra Just 9 Months After It Was 'Driven Out'. Assad, Russia Busy In Bombing Aleppo

Just nine months after they were driven out of the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, which is also a UNESCO world heritage site, the terror group has claimed of taking control of parts of the city.

AFP

ISIS fighters entered Palmyra's northern and northwestern neighbourhoods on Saturday and nearly encircled the city, even though confusion remains over how much area have fallen to them.

According to unconfirmed reports at least 50 Syrian soldiers were killed in the ambush while others have fled. The Syrian Army has acknowledged the development and said they have sent reinforcements to the area.

Palmyra fell in just three days after the ISIS fighters launched simultaneous attacks from three directions of the surrounding desert.?

The recapture of Palmyra will be a huge moral booster to the Islamic State which has been rapidly losing grounds in neighbouring Iraq and Libya.

EPA

The group which was driven out in March this year, thanks to some aggressive air campaign from Russia?might have been regrouping in the shadows and was waiting for the right moment to strike back, analysts believe.

They took advantage of the Assad government and Russia shifting their focus on recapturing Aleppo from the Syrian rebels. Palmyra has been seen as a strategic location for IS, because of its close proximity to oil fields.

AFP

The historic city which is home to some Roman Empire era relics had played a huge part in the ISIS propaganda in its initial days. ISIS fighter after capturing the city in May 2015 had gone on a rampage destroying a number of buildings and statues as the world witnessed it in horror.

The ancient Roman temple complex was also the 'stage' for mass beheadings by ISIS, including the city's archaeological director. ?

AFP

After the terrorists were driven out various international agencies had come together and had began the process of restoring the city which was left in shambles.