Palmyra Residents Evacuated, Syrian Army Fighting Daesh in Suburbs - Source

The residents of Palmyra have been evacuated, and the Syrian Army is fighting Daesh in the suburbs of the ancient city, a source familiar with the situation told RIA Novosti on Sunday.

"After the evacuation of all residents last night, the Syrian Army has completely left the city of Palmyra. Fierce fighting against Daesh jihadists is going on in the city suburbs."

The source said aircraft are attacking the militants. Earlier in the day, Russia's center for Syrian reconciliation said the terrorists were trying to capture the city after regrouping. The center underscored Russian warplanes did not attack targets in Palmyra's residential areas.

Syrian airstrikes targeted and destroyed dozens of #ISIS vehicles as they were moving from different axes towards #Palmyra#SAA_Salute

— maytham (@maytham956) 11 декабря 2016 г.

Terrorists launched their previous attack on the city on Saturday. Their offensive was thwarted by the actions of the government forces supported by Russian warplanes.

Despite the defeat, the terrorists were again trying to attack the city from the northern, eastern and southern sides. Their perceived goal is to capture al-Amiriyah town northeast of Palmyra and a nearby industrial area, Syria's SANA news agency said.

Over the recent months, Daesh has several times tried to oust the government troops from their defense lines. Having amassed considerable forces to the west of Palmyra, the jihadist group sought to seize two oil and gas fields, but all of their attempts have been foiled. The terrorists intensified their attacks on the ancient city over the last week and managed to capture several high grounds in proximity to Palmyra.

The Syrian Arab Army, backed by the Russian Aerospace Forces, liberated Palmyra in March, 2016, nearly a year after it was captured by Daesh, which is outlawed in Russia, in May 2015. During the invasion, the militants destroyed a number of ancient objects, including necropolis, the Arch of Triumph, as well as the temples of Baal Shamin and Bel.