1st LD: IS militants retreat from Syria's Palmyra
Xinhua, May 17, 2015 Adjust font size:
The Islamic State (IS) militants withdrew from areas they entered in the city of Palmyra in central Syria, Mamoun Abdulkarim, Syria's director-general of antiquities and museums, told Xinhua on Sunday.
Abdulkarim said the IS attack came to a halt, adding that the group didn't enter the ancient part of the city. He stressed that recent attacks by the IS didn't reach the old parts of that oasis city, adding that all ancient parts were not affected by attacks.
The IS unleashed attacks on the city last Thursday in a bid to take control of the strategic area. Opposition groups said the terror group entered northern district of Palmyra.
Sources told Xinhua that the Syrian troops sent reinforcement to protect the ancient part of the city. Endit