Daesh Begins Counteroffensive Against Syrian Army in Palmyra - Commander

Daesh has begun a counteroffensive against Syrian government forces around the citadel of Palmyra.

PALMYRA (Sputnik) — Daesh fighters have begun a counteroffensive against Syrian government forces around the citadel of Palmyra, a desert Desert Falcons brigade commander said Friday.

"Our assault team was able to enter the fortification. The second group is covering from a nearby height, and the militants are trying to counter-attack the citadel from the direction of the town. Fighters in the citadel are tasked with securing their position," the brigade commander told RIA Novosti.

Earlier on Friday, the Syrian army and patriotic militias retook the historic Palmyra Castle from Daesh terrorists. The militias consolidated their grip on a height some 650 yards near the citadel. Assault teams approached the site from several fronts, with mortar detachments providing cover.

Syrian government forces plan to mount an attack to oust the Daesh from the town of Palmyra, the commander said.

Palmyra is considered a strategic part of Syria which is Key for advancing to the Daesh stronghold of Raqqa in eastern Syria.

The town of Palmyra and its historic ruins have been under Daesh control since May 2015. The jihadist group, which is outlawed in many countries, including Russia and the United States, has since destroyed part of the ruins, which are a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.