“Qariatein is completely encircled. The Army and popular defense units are ready to storm in. Daesh terrorists are still holding their ground,” the source told RIA Novosti.
Mostly populated by Christians, Qariatein was seized by Daesh terrorists more than a year ago to become their main stronghold in the south of the Homs province.
According to government sources the terrorists used the town as a supply base for their forces battling the Syrian army advance on Palmyra.
Earlier on Sunday, the Syrian Army and popular defense forces, backed by Russian airstrikes, had successfully ended the operation to liberate Palmyra from Daesh terrorists.
"After a series of large-scale operations of our units in the direction of the eastern part of the province of Homs, with the support of the Syrian and Russian aircraft we have successfully completed the mission and restored security and stability in the city of Palmyra, as well as full control over the surrounding heights," according to the army's statement cited by SANA news agency.
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.
