Syrian army pushes near IS-held city of Palmyra

The Syrian forces have become 10 kilometers away from the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria, as part of an operation to retake the city from Islamic State (IS) group, a monitor group reported Friday.

Intense battles are raging between the Syrian army and IS militants in the western countryside of Palmyra in the eastern countryside of the central province of Homs, and the Syrian army and allied fighters are fighting to make more progress toward the city, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The UK-based monitor group said the Syrian army's battles to recapture that historic city have been raging for 42 days.

It added that the military forces are 10 kilometers from the al-Maqasem areas west of Palmyra in tandem with an attack the military forces unleashed in the surrounding mountains.

Hundreds of airstrikes and hundreds of artillery shelling targeted the IS positions, said the Observatory, adding that the IS terrorists also carried out several bombings against the Syrian forces.

Tens of causalities were reported on both sides. The IS recaptured Palmyra last December after bringing in reinforcements. It also retook the gas and oil fields around.

The Syrian forces have so far succeeded in capturing the key Hayan gas field, the largest gas production facility in Syria. They are advancing toward the Jazel oil field, reaching the outskirts of it.

In its second attempt to invade the city, the IS blew up the facade of the historical amphitheater as well as other relics and monuments in Palmyra, in addition to other key temples destroyed in their first invasion.

Syrian Culture Minister Muhammad Ahmad recently said the bombing of the historical heritage in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra by the IS group is a "war crime."

"These monuments are not only the property of Syria, but the whole world," Ahmad said, urging the international community to shoulder its responsibility in protecting Syria's world heritages. Endit