Conditions Created to Ensure Daesh Defeat in Syria’s Palmyra

All conditions for the encirclement and final defeat of Daesh terrorist group terrorists in the Syrian city of Palmyra have been created, the Russian General Staff’s Main Operational Directorate said Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed hope that Palmyra would be returned to the Syrian people at Thursday’s ceremony awarding Russian servicemen for their role in the nearly 6-month anti-terrorist campaign.

"The conditions for the encirclement and final defeat of Daesh armed forces in Palmyra are created," Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi told reporters.

He added that Syrian army units established control on key hilltops and major traffic areas, as well as cut off terrorist ammunition and material supply routes.

Syrian Ambassador to Russia Riyad Haddad said Thursday that the remaining Russian group in Syria “continued to support ground operations conducted by our army to liberate the city of Palmyra in particular.”

Over the past year, Daesh has seized, looted and destroyed several of the world's most important archaeological and cultural sites, including the ancient Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage site.