The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) has launched another powerful assault on the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra (Tadmur), just three days after the Syrian Arab Army’s 18th Tank Battalion and the National Defense Forces recaptured all points seized by the enemy combatants within the city’s parameters.

As dawn approached on Wednesday morning, ISIS stormed the northern perimeter of Al-‘Amuriyah, where they were able to penetrate into the village and seize control of large swaths of territory after engaging the National Defense Forces in a series of violent firefights that eventually resulted in the militant group capturing the entire area.

With Al-‘Amuriyah under their control, the militants from ISIS shifted their attention to the Palmyra National Hospital for the second time on Wednesday; this time, however, their infiltration attempt was successful, as the militant group quickly occupied the territory the Syrian Armed Forces conceded after another powerful assault.

Following their control of the Palmyra National Hospital, the ISIS combatants seized the northern residential neighborhood of the ancient city, which subsequently led to their advance on Palmyra’s downtown; this is where the Syrian Armed Forces and ISIS are currently deadlocked for control.

Despite ISIS’ rapid success in the northern sector of Palmyra, the Syrian Armed Forces were able to repel a number of enemy’s attacks at the Western Hills of Mount Qassoun, the Palmyra Dam and Ancient Aqueducts, the Matahaf Checkpoint, the Palmyra Military Airport, the Badiyah Military Branch, and the Palmyra Castle.

The Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF) has played an integral role in obstructing ISIS’ reinforcements from arriving to the battle, as a number of military aircraft have destroyed the swarming enemy vehicles on the road from As-Sikhanah to Palmyra.

ALSO READ  German court sentences Syrian national to life in prison for war crimes

 

 

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Leith Aboufadel
Editor-in-Chief Specializing in Near Eastern Affairs and Economics.

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