Syrian Air Force Targets ISIL Positions Near Palmyra

Syrian Air Force fighter jets hit Islamic State (ISIL) targets close to the ancient city of Palmyra, Al Mayadeen reported Sunday.

BEIRUT (Sputnik) – According to the TV channel, ISIL militants began to retreat following the airstrikes. A column of 80 cars reportedly left Palmyra and headed toward the main ISIL positions outside the city.

A source in the Homs city administration told RIA Novosti that a large number of ISIL rebels was killed in the strikes.

“Fighting between the Syrian army and ISIL militants continued in the North-East of Palmyra. A lot of ISIL militants were killed,” the source said.

The source added that the ancient site of Palmyra had not been damaged in the attack, and is under the Syrian army’s control.

Heavy fighting near Palmyra – UNESCO World Heritage Site – continues since Thursday.

Vast territories in Syria, which has been in the state of civil war since 2011, are currently controlled by Islamic State.

Islamic State is a Sunni jihadist group that in 2014 captured vast territories in Iraq and Syria, proclaiming caliphate on the lands that have fallen under its control. The group’s affiliates also operate in North Africa, Yemen, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan.