Roundup: Syrian army advances toward capturing Palmyra city

The Syrian army and allied fighters are advancing toward capturing the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria, becoming close to the entrance of that millennia-old oasis city, a military source told Xinhua on Monday.

ONGOING MILITARY CAMPAIGN TO RECAPTURE PALMYRA

The Syrian government forces have over the past 24 hours captured a high plateau and the Tamthil city west of the city, becoming close to the al-Tar mountain, which overlooks the entrance of the city, the source said, on condition of anonymity.

The Syrian forces also captured hilltops overlooking the Palmyra triangle, southwest of the city, killing many IS militants, according to the source.

They also wrested control over the highest peak of the al-Hayel mountain, near Palmyra city.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said intense battles are still ongoing near Palmyra, since the Syrian army unleashed a counter offensive to retake the city on Jan. 14 this year, just days after the IS militants took the city for the second time.

The Observatory said battles are taking place on three fronts near Palmyra simultaneously. It added that the Syrian forces advanced from the northwestern part of the city, becoming six kilometers from its northwestern entrance.

From the western part, the Syrian army are nine kilometers away from the city, and 12 kilometers from its southwestern rim.

The intense battles are coupled with intense rocket and artillery fire from the government side on the IS positions, said the Observatory, adding that airstrikes are also targeting the terror-designated group in that area.

Tens of fighters from both sides have been killed during the military campaign in Palmyra, said the Observatory.

Regarding the countryside of Palmyra, in the eastern countryside of Homs, the Syrian forces have also been fighting to retake oil and gas fields the IS militants took when they captured Palmyra in December of last year.

Last week, the Syrian army captured the Hayan gas plant, the largest gas production facility in Syria.

Now, the Jazel oil field as well as the Muher and Hajjar gas fields have become exposed to the fire of the Syrian army in that area, said the Observatory, adding that it has information that the IS militants have actually withdrawn from the aforementioned power plants.

Last December, the group stormed the city for the second time after losing it nine months earlier to the Syrian army.

DESTRUCTION OF HISTORIC MONUMENTS

During their first invasion of the city in 2015, the IS militants blew up several 2,000 year old monuments and relics in Palmyra.

They destroyed the Temple of Bel, which was dedicated to the Mesopotamian god Bel, who was worshipped at Palmyra in triad with the lunar god Aglibol and the sun god Yarhibol, which formed the center of religious life in Palmyra and was inaugurated in 32 AD. Now, there is nothing left of the temple except its gate.

Aside from Bal, another temple in Palmyra, Baalshamin, was totally destroyed during the first invasion.

Baalshamin, whose earliest phase dates to the late 2nd century, was one of the most complete ancient structures in Palmyra. In 1980, the UNESCO designated the temple as a World Heritage Site. The IS destroyed Baalshamin on Aug. 23, 2015.

On May 23, 2015, the militants IS militants partially destroyed the Lion of al-Lat and other statues.

It became known on Sept. 4, 2015 that IS had destroyed three of the best preserved tower tombs including the Tower of Elahbel.

On Oct. 5, 2015, news media reported IS destroyed the Arch of Triumph.

In their second invasion, The IS group has destroyed the facade of the ancient Roman theatre as well as the Tetrapylon in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra in central Syria, state TV reported last month.

The interface of the second-century CE theatre was completely demolished after being booby-trapped with explosions, as well as the famous Tetrapylon, a type of ancient Roman monument of a cubic shape, in that city, according to the report.

LOCAL, INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNATION

Syrian Culture Minister Muhammad Ahmad said last month that the bombing of the historic heritage in 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 this world heritage.

"Any inaction in this difficult time threatens Palmyra and will be a clear runaway from the humanitarian and ethical duty in protecting and preserving the World Heritage," he said.

UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova also condemned the bombing, saying "this destruction is a new war crime and an immense loss for the Syrian people and for humanity."

"This new blow against cultural heritage...shows that cultural cleansing led by violent extremists is seeking to destroy both human lives and historical monuments in order to deprive the Syrian people of its past and its future. This is why the protection of heritage is inseparable from the protection of human lives, and we must all unite to put this at the center of all efforts to build peace," she added. Endit