Russian military jets have carried out 40 sorties in Palmyra, destroying 117 terrorist targets and eliminating over 80 militants over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"The Russian Aerospace Forces have conducted 40 sorties around Palmyra and hit 117 terrorists' targets. Eight [terrorist] command centers, 12 strongholds, over 80 terrorists, 2 tanks, 3 artillery systems, 8 vehicles and 6 ammunition depots have been destroyed [as result of Russian airstrikes]."
The Syrian army’s offensive on the city of Palmyra to recapture it from Daesh terrorists began on Thursday. On Friday, the units of the Syrian army and patriotic militia retook the historic Palmyra Castle from Daesh terrorists.
Palmyra, located 210 kilometers away from Damascus, is considered 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 historic sites, which are a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.
According to a daily bulletin published by the ministry, the ceasefire regime in Syria has been violated 10 times over the past 24 hours.
"The cessation of hostilities in the Syrian Arab Republic is generally observed. During the day, 10 ceasefire violations (four in Aleppo, three in Latakia, two in Idlib and one in Hama) have been recorded."
"In the northwest of Aleppo, al-Nusra Front terrorist group intensified hostilities. Militants of the international terrorist organization shelled Sheikh Maqsud in Aleppo from mortars eight times, killing four and wounding of varying severity 19 civilians."
Russian and US centers have discussed a number of issues related to maintenance of Syria's ceasefire during a new round of talks.
