Russian sappers defuse large IS arms depot in historic Palmyra

Russian sappers involved in mine clearing in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra have discovered and defused more than 12,000 explosive devices from a large arms depot left by the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday.

The depot contained large-caliber mortar mines, artillery shells, and anti-tank and anti-personnel mines which terrorist used not only in the Homs province but also throughout Syria, said Igor Konashenkov, a spokesman for the ministry.

Russia declared Thursday that the country's engineers have successfully cleared all mines and bombs in the ancient city.

Palmyra, which fell into the hands of IS militants in May last year, was recaptured by the Syrian army in March. Moscow then sent a group of sappers to help clear the city and its vicinity from mines and other explosive devices. Endi