MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Sunday, Daesh recaptured the ancient city of Palmyra in the Homs province. According to various sources, the number of terrorists that took part in the storming of the city reached 5,000 including hundreds of suicide bombers and dozens of armored vehicles. According to the Homs governor, the government forces managed to evacuate some 80 percent of city's civilian population.
"This city [Palmyra] used to be under control of terrorists but we have liberated it with Russia's support. We will do it again…but we have to realize that Aleppo is our priority at the moment," Assad said in an interview with Russia's Rossiya-24 and NTV television channels.
"We will not stop [the offensive]. The ceasefires take place only in areas where terrorists surrender their arms or agree to withdraw," the president stressed.
Assad added that the Syrian authorities would decide in consultations with Russia and Iran which Syrian city would be liberated next.
Never miss a story again — sign up to our Telegram channel and we'll keep you up to speed!
