Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Palmyra update

STILL IN PERIL: ISIS Attacks Druze Village, Aims for 'Victory Against the World.' Islamic State attacks Syria's Druze heartland before being forced out by pro-regime militia; clashes continue at ancient city of Palmyra. (Arutz Sheva).
Further north, fighting between IS jihadists and government forces continued outside Palmyra on Tuesday morning.

"There are clashes at the western entrance of Palmyra this morning, which lies on the road that leads to Homs city," provincial governor Talal Barazi told AFP.

On Sunday, regime forces pushed ISIS out of northern neighborhoods of Palmyra, which it had held for less than 24 hours.

Barazi said he visited Palmyra on Monday, "going through 60 percent of the city on foot," visiting the vegetable market and museum.

He said at least 40 rockets had struck Palmyra on Sunday, but that government forces maintained control over key points, including the Islamic citadel overlooking the city.
Background here and links.