Over 100 ISIS Terrorists Killed in Syrian Airstrikes near Palmyra

At least 116 terrorists of the Islamic State (IS) group were killed during a series of airstrikes of the Syrian Air Force.

A series of airstrikes was carried out by the Syrian Air Force on positions of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group in western and southwestern districts of the ancient city of Palmyra, located in eastern Homs. As a result, 116 IS terrorists were killed and many more others were wounded, as well as 12 their vehicles, including bomb-laden ones, were destroyed.

Syrian aircraft struck IS positions in Qasr al-Hayer and Abu Kaleh Dam regions. According to the Syrian Sana state news agency, over 70 IS terrorists lost their lives during an air raid in Albu Kaleh, while several their rocket launchers and military vehicles, equipped with machine guns, were destroyed. At the same time, over 46 members of the IS group were killed in a raid of the Syrian Air Force in Qasr al-Hayer, which also destroyed seven their vehicles, equipped with machine guns, and five bomb-laden suicide cars.

In their turn, Syrian troops attacked IS positions near al-Katibeh al-Mahjoureh.

On Thursday, the Russian General Staff announced that the Syrian Army, backed up by the Russian Aerospace Forces, stopped the further advance of terrorists in Palmyra. According to the General Staff, Syrian soldiers repelled multiple attacks of IS militants on Palmyra, the main clashes took place near the T4 military airfield and Tiyas city.

As the first deputy chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the Russian General Staff, Lt. Gen. Viktor Poznikhir, said, the situation in Palmyra has been stabilized due to the operation of the Syrian Armed Forces, supported by Russia’s fighter jets.

In addition, Russia is currently helping Damascus to launch a counter offensive.

“The Syrian troops, supported by the Russian Aerospace Forces, have stabilized the situation near the city of Palmyra. Multiple attacks by ISIL militants have been repelled. The main front line is located near the city of Tiyas and T4 airfield. The Russian Federation is helping the Syrian leadership in organizing a counteroffensive on Palmyra,” Poznikhir said.

On Sunday, the ancient city of Palmyra, located in Homs province, was recaptured by the IS. According to various sources, about 5,000 terrorists, including hundreds of suicide bombers and dozens of armored vehicles, took part in the storming of the city. The Homs governor said that over 80% of civilian population of Palmyra was evacuated from the city.

Earlier, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said that Palmyra would be recaptured by the Syrian Army after the liberation of Aleppo.