ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The Islamic State (ISIS) has made advances toward the Syrian city of Palmyra on Wednesday mere weeks after being routed from the area by a joint Russian-Syrian military force.
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor group confirmed that ISIS is advancing and is less than 60 kilometers from the city.
According to the monitor, ISIS has been "able to cut the supply road between Homs and Palmyra near the Tayfur military airport after an attack launched from the east of Homs."
The head of the Observatory, Rami Abdel Rahman, told AFP that cutting this road "came as part of ISIS's biggest assault since the army recaptured Palmyra with Russian support," on March 27.
"Daesh [ISIS] surrounds Palmyra from all angles except the southwest," he added.
Russia held an orchestra in the recaptured city last week and invited members of the world press to cover the event. The Russians helped the Syrians de-mine the city following its recapture.
Palmyra is home to a famous UNESCO world heritage site dating all the way back to the Roman-era. ISIS destroyed parts of the ancient ruins during its occupation but were not successful in destroying the entire site.
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