Palmyra offensive (2017) explained

Conflict:Palmyra offensive (2017)
Partof:the Syrian Civil War and the Russian military intervention in Syria
Date:13 January – 2 March 2017
[1] [2]
Place:Tadmur District, Eastern Homs Governorate, Syria
Result:Syrian government victory
Combatant1: Syria

Allied militias:
Hezbollah
Liwa Zainebiyoun[5] ---- CJTF–OIR[6]
Combatant2: Islamic State
Commander1: Maj. Gen. Suheil al-Hassan[7]
(Operations chief commander)
Maj. Gen. Mohammed Hassan Sultan[8]
(5th Corps commander)
Col. Gen. Andrey Kartapolov
(Russian forces commander)
Maj. Gen. Pyotr Milyukhin[9]
Commander2: Abu Shaher al-Hassan
(ISIL emir)[10]
Units1: Syrian Armed Forces

Russian Armed Forces and PMC allies

Hezbollah

Units2: Military of ISIL
Strength1:4,900+ soldiers
    • 1,000 reinforcements from Latakia 900+ Military Shield reinforcements
Strength2: Unknown(Some armoured vehicles)
Casualties1: 115 killed[25]
18 killed (10 soldiers and 8 PMC)
Casualties2:283+ killed (per SOHR)
1,000+ killed and wounded (per Russian MOD)[26] [27] [28]

The Palmyra offensive in 2017 was launched by the Syrian Arab Army against the armed forces of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the Eastern Homs Governorate in January 2017, with the goal of recapturing Palmyra and its surrounding countryside. ISIL forces had retaken the city of Palmyra in a sudden offensive from 8 to 11 December, after previously being expelled from it by Syrian government and Russian forces in March 2016. On 2 March 2017, the Syrian Army alongside Russian reinforcement, succeeded again in recapturing the beleaguered city of Palmyra.

Background

See main article: Palmyra offensive (December 2016).

In mid-December, ISIL launched an assault on Palmyra,[29] eventually taking full control of the city as the Syrian Army withdrew.[30] ISIL started advancing westwards from Palmyra to the Tiyas Military Airbase (also called al-Taifor and T4 airbase) after the city's capture, and nearly besieged it.[31]

Clashes continued around the airbase until the end of December,[32] when ISIL's assault was repelled.[33] In early January 2017, it was reported that ISIL was withdrawing from the areas around the airbase.[34]

Offensive

Sometime between 12 and 13 January, the Syrian Army launched a counter-offensive.[35] [1] [36] [37] [38] At the start of the operation, Abu Hafs al-Mashrifi, ISIL's chief of security in Homs province, was killed in an artillery strike on his headquarters in the Huwaysis area.[1] On 14 January, the Army captured several points around al-Tayyas village,[38] [39] as well as areas near the abandoned base, advancing to the Jazal Mountains. The military soon after launched an attack on the mountains.[40] It advanced further on 15 January, capturing the hills around the airbase.[41] ISIL managed to repel an attempt by the Army to advance around the airbase on 16 January.[42] Reinforcements and supplies for the Syrian Army arrived, for continuing the offensive.[43] On 19 January, the SAA stormed the southern countryside of the T-4 airbase and captured a large amount of territory near al-Qaryatayn, while also clearing several sites to the east of the pumping station and Tayfor village.[44] On 21 January, the Army recaptured the Jeb al-Murr area, in addition to advancing around the hills of al-Tiyas.[45]

On 25 January, the Syrian Army captured the al-Fawa'ra area, including a military base.[46] On 2 February, the Army captured al-Hattaniyyah and al-Marhatan areas[47] as well as the Jihar crossroads.[48] On 4 February, the Army recaptured the Hayyan gas fields.[49] On 5 February, the Army captured the Majbel Asphalt area, Al-Baydah al Sharqiyah and al-Baydah al-Gharbiyah.[50] On 7 February, ISIL recaptured the Hayyan gas fields.[51] On 10 February, the Army recaptured the Hayyan Hills.[52] On 11 February, ISIL recaptured the Majbel Asphalt area along with several surrounding points near the Hajjar crossroads.[53] including the Hayyan Hills. On 13 February, the Army resumed its offensive, attacking ISIL and attempted to recapture all of the Hayyan Hills.[54] On the next day, the Army broke through ISIL's defenses and recaptured the Hayyan gas fields.[55]

On 16 February, the Syrian Army entered the Jihar Gas Fields and clashed with ISIL fighters. ISIL recaptured several wells in the Hayyan gas fields.[56] On the same day, Russian forces suffered their first casualties, when a vehicular column from the Tiyas airbase to Homs was blown up by a remote-controlled IED, killing four Russian soldiers and wounding two others,[57] including Major General Pyotr Milyukhin who lost both legs and an eye. By this point, the Army was within 24km (15miles) of Palmyra.[58] On 17 February, the Army captured the Eastern Bayarat area.[59] They also captured Al-Kalaabiyah Farms during the day, reasserting complete control over Western Bayarat.[60] An ISIL counterattack on Hayyan gas fields was repelled.[61] On 18 February, the Army captured the Tarfah Al-Gharbiyah area and imposed full control over the Hayyan gas fields while pushing to the outskirts of Jazal Mountains.[62] On the next day, they attacked the Jazal and al-Mahr oil fields[63] and captured several of ISIL's final positions in eastern part of Al-Bayarat.[64] On 20 February, it was reported to have captured Tarfah al-Sharqiyah.[65]

The SAA resumed the offensive on 23 February, after pausing it to reinforce its positions at the Hayyan Gas Fields. The Syrian Army advanced towards the Driving School area of Palmyra during the day.[66] On 24 February, the Syrian Army captured the Palmyra communications tower in the Eastern Bayarat area, after a short battle with the retreating Islamic State forces, and reached Jabal Hayyal mountain, overlooking Palmyra.[67] [68] On 26 February, it captured the hill of Tal SyriaTel, imposing fire control over Al-Mahr gas fields.[69] It later captured the highest point of Jabbal Hayyal, giving it fire control over the Palmyra Triangle area as well as southwestern part of the city itself. It also captured the Quarries area to the northwest of the city.[70] It also advanced and captured the quarries and all points overlooking al-Mahr oil fields.[71] On the next day, it captured an adjacent point from Hayyal Mount. It also captured al-Tamtheel village directly to west of Palmyra, reaching the strategic al-Tar mountain.[72] Its advances also brought it within 3km (02miles) of Palmyra.[73]

The Syrian Army captured the Palmyra Triangle area, Palmyra Castle, Qatari Castle, and al-Amriyah village, as well as many hilltops including Jabbal Hayyal and Jabbal al-Tar after an assault on 1 March.[74] [75] [76] On the same day, the Syrian army and allies backed by warplanes, had entered to the modern city of Palmyra and captured the al-Motaqadin street after captured the western and northern western sections of the city amid information about pulling back by ISIL from the city.[77] [78] On the next day, ISIL launched a failed counter-attack following which SAA attacked and imposed full control over Jabal al-Tar and Palmyra Castle.[79] ISIL later withdrew from most of Palmyra, after they mined many points in the city. However, they left behind suicide bombers in the eastern districts of Palmyra, to cover the retreat of the ISIL militants, and to hamper the progress of the Syrian Army.[80] [81] [82] On 2 March, the Syrian Army recaptured the entire city of Palmyra, after ISIL fully withdrew from the city.[3] On the next day, the Syrian Army captured the Palmyra Airport,[83] and completely secured it on 4 March, after ISIL was forced to retreat to the Palmyra Grain Silos to the east of the airport.[84]

Losses

283 ISIL militants, 115 Syrian Army soldiers and five Russian servicemen were reported killed during the offensive by the SOHR,[25] while the Russian military claimed more than 1,000 ISIL militants had been killed or wounded overall and that hundreds of ISIL vehicles were destroyed, including 19 tanks, 37 armored infantry fighting vehicles, 98 technicals and more than 100 other vehicles.[85]

Aftermath

See main article: Eastern Homs offensive (2017).

The Syrian Army continued to advance in the regions around Palmyra, after the recapture of the city.[86] [87] [88] [89] [90] By late May 2017, all roads linking Damascus with Palmyra came under the control of the Syrian government.[91]

See also

External links

34.56°N 38.2672°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ISIS security chief killed in Syrian army attack near Homs. ARA News. 12 January 2016. 14 January 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170113153431/http://aranews.net/2017/01/isis-security-chief-killed-syrian-army-attack-near-homs/. 13 January 2017. dmy-all.
  2. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=61515 With a cover of intense air and land strikes… the regime forces advance to a distance of 10 kilometers of Palmyra city 42 days after the start of their counter military operation
  3. News: Syrian army announces recapture of Palmyra from Islamic State. Reuters. 2 March 2017.
  4. Web site: Isis driven out of ancient Syrian city of Palmyra for second time. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-palmyra-syria-driven-out-second-time-islamic-state-ancient-roman-ruins-assad-executions-a7607351.html . 24 May 2022 . subscription . live. Lizzie. Dearden. 2 March 2017. The Independent.
  5. Web site: Islamic State retreats from Palmyra amid stunning Syrian Army offensive. Chris. Tomson. 2 March 2017. al-Masdar News. 2 March 2017. 2 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170302030057/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/islamic-state-retreats-palmyra-amid-blitz-syrian-army-offensive/. dead.
  6. News: Hezbollah, Russia and the U.S. help Syria retake Palmyra. The Washington Post.
  7. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=56967 The tiger reach Homs countryside to lead military operations against IS
  8. Web site: ISIS kills senior army commander in Palmyra. Zaman al Wasl. 23 March 2017. 25 March 2017.
  9. Web site: Putin's horror after general loses both legs and eye in roadside bomb during battle with ISIS for Palmyra. Abigail . O'Leary. The Mirror. 6 March 2017. 29 April 2017.
  10. Web site: Senior ISIL Commander Killed in Syrian Army Attack East of Homs. Fars News. 1 March 2017. 29 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171009233319/http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951211000246. 9 October 2017. dead.
  11. Web site: The Fifth Legion: A New Auxiliary Force. Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi. Syria Comment. 24 December 2016. 25 December 2016.
  12. Web site: ISIS fully retakes Palmyra in stunning blitz offensive – Map update. Chris. Tomson. 11 December 2016. al-Masdar News. 11 December 2016. 11 December 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161211223337/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-fully-retakes-palmyra-stunning-blitz-offensive-map-update/. dead.
  13. Web site: Syrian special forces leave west Palmyra for east Aleppo. Leith. Fadel. al-Masdar News. 11 February 2017. 13 February 2017. 2 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190502071455/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-special-forces-leave-west-palmyra-east-aleppo/. dead.
  14. Web site: Ivan Sidorenko on Twitter. https://web.archive.org/web/20170403080927/https://twitter.com/ivansidorenko1/status/836377615833391104/. 3 April 2017. dead.
  15. Web site: ISIS Hunters on Twitter.
  16. Web site: Elite Syrian Army unit parachutes into Palmyra countryside. Leith. Fadel. 16 December 2016. al-Masdar News. 16 December 2016. 2 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190502052818/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/elite-syrian-army-unit-parachutes-palmyra-countryside/. dead.
  17. Web site: Reinforcements arrive near Palmyra as Syrian Army regroups for counter-offensive (Photos). Chris. Tomson. 12 December 2016. al-Masdar News. 12 December 2016. 7 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190507085522/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/reinforcements-arrive-near-palmyra-syrian-army-regroups-counter-offensive-photos/. dead.
  18. http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/who-are-pro-assad-militias-syria-2030619965 Who are the pro-Assad militias in Syria?
  19. Web site: Islamic State retreats from Palmyra amid stunning Syrian Army offensive . 2 March 2017 . 2 March 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170302030057/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/islamic-state-retreats-palmyra-amid-blitz-syrian-army-offensive/ . dead .
  20. Web site: Exclusive: Over 900 Syrian Marines join elite military shield forces. https://web.archive.org/web/20170223060446/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/exclusive-900-syrian-marines-join-elite-military-shield-forces/. Leith Fadel. al-Masdar News. 23 February 2016. 23 February 2017.
  21. Web site: The fall of Palmyra: Chronology of the events. Ivan. Yakovlev. al-Masdar News. 20 December 2016. 12 February 2017. 22 December 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161222145348/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/fall-palmyra-chronology-events/. dead.
  22. Web site: Russian special forces arrive in west Palmyra. Leith. Fadel. al-Masdar News. 12 February 2017. 13 February 2017. 2 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190502062712/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russian-special-forces-arrive-west-palmyra/. dead.
  23. https://web.archive.org/web/20170322204403/http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFKBN16T0S2 Russia underplayed losses in recapture of Syria's Palmyra
  24. Web site: Hezbollah deploys to Palmyra front: report. NOW.. Albin Szakola. 16 December 2016. 19 December 2016. 8 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181008061340/https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/567555-hezbollah-deploys-to-palmyra-front-report. dead.
  25. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=62142 Palmyra city restore operation kills more than 400 persons in about 50 days, leaves gas and oilfields in the grip of the “Islamic State” organization
  26. News: Russia's General Staff reveals details of Palmyra operation. TASS. 3 March 2017. 3 March 2017.
  27. Web site: More than 1,000 ISIS terrorists killed during Palmyra's liberation: Russian DM. Leith. Fadel. 3 March 2017. 4 March 2017. 19 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171019001623/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/1000-isis-terrorists-killed-palmyras-liberation-russian-dm/. dead.
  28. Web site: Russia: 1,000 ISIS casualties as Syrian troops retake Palmyra. 4 March 2017. CNN.
  29. News: Syrian official says Palmyra falls again to Islamic State. 11 December 2016. Reuters.
  30. Web site: Islamic State recaptures Palmyra after Syria army withdrawal. The New Arab &. agencies. 11 December 2016 .
  31. Web site: ISIS seizes two villages west of Palmyra. Leith. Fadel. 11 December 2016. 13 February 2017. 2 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181002161132/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-seizes-two-villages-west-palmyra/. dead.
  32. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=57662 The regime forces shell the area around Inkhel and casualties in the regime forces’ ranks in the vicinity of T4 airbase
  33. Web site: Syrian Army kills scores of ISIS terrorists at strategic airport in west Palmyra. Al-Masdar News. 26 December 2016. 26 December 2016. 2 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181002212019/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-kills-scores-isis-terrorists-strategic-airport-west-palmyra/. dead.
  34. Web site: ISIS abandons offensive in west Palmyra, mass retreat towards Raqqa. 6 January 2017. 28 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200928081600/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-abandons-offensive-west-palmyra-mass-retreat-towards-raqqa/. dead.
  35. Web site: Isis security chief in Homs province among several killed in latest Syrian air force strikes. IB Times. 12 January 2017.
  36. News: "Islamischer Staat": Syrische Armee startet Offensive auf Palmyra. 14 January 2017. Die Zeit.
  37. Web site: Syrian Army launches long-awaited west Palmyra offensive. Leith. Fadel. 14 January 2017. 12 February 2017. 21 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170521142638/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-launches-long-awaited-west-palmyra-offensive/. dead.
  38. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=59048 Regime forces start a violent attack near the T4 airbase in Palmyra desert after more than one month for organization’s attack and control of wide areas of Palmyra and its desert
  39. Web site: Syrian Army advances east towards Palmyra after launching massive offensive. Leith. Fadel. 14 January 2017. 12 February 2017. 21 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170521135421/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-advances-east-towards-palmyra-launching-massive-offensive/. dead.
  40. Web site: Syrian Army rapidly advancing in western Palmyra as ISIS abandons several sites. Leith. Fadel. 14 January 2017. 12 February 2017. 21 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170521150811/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-rapidly-advancing-western-palmyra-isis-abandons-several-sites/. dead.
  41. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=59124 The regime forces achieve advancement in hills near T4 airbase and a booby trapped detonation leaves casualties in the countryside of al-Bab
  42. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=59245 The “Islamic State” organization was able to repel the regime forces’ attempt to advance near the T4 airbase, causes casualties and injuries
  43. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=59261 72 hours of offensive -and counting- by the regime in the western desert of Palmyra, more than 20 killed
  44. Web site: Syrian Army liberates large chunks of territory south of T-4 Airport. Leith. Fadel. 19 January 2017. 12 February 2017. 16 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170516123216/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-liberates-large-chunks-territory-south-t-4-airport/. dead.
  45. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=59532 Shelling targets the countryside of Aleppo and the Syria desert witnesses the continuous clashes tween the regime forces against the “Islamic State” organization
  46. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=59839 The regime forces continue their clashes in Palmyra desert and achieve advancement near the airbase and renewed shelling targets the Eastern Ghouta
  47. http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=60238 The regime forces continue their military operation and advance at the expense of the “Islamic State” organization in the western desert of Palmyra
  48. Web site: Large Syrian Army attack pays off as ISIS loses several sites in western Palmyra. Leith. Fadel. 2 February 2017. 12 February 2017. 20 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170520204250/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/large-syrian-army-attack-pays-off-isis-loses-several-sites-western-palmyra/. dead.
  49. Web site: Syrian Army liberates Hayyan Gas Fields in west Palmyra. Leith. Fadel. 4 February 2017. Al-Masdar News. 12 February 2017. 20 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170520222103/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-liberates-hayyan-gas-fields-west-palmyra/. dead.
  50. Web site: Field Report: Syrian Army overruns ISIS in east Homs [+Map]]. Zen. Adra. 5 February 2017. Al-Masdar News. 12 February 2017. 20 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170520205401/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/field-report-syrian-army-overruns-isis-east-homs-map/. dead.
  51. Web site: ISIS retakes Hayyan Gas Fields in new bid to expand west of Palmyra. 7 February 2017. Al-Masdar News. 12 February 2017. 17 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170517125919/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-retakes-hayyan-gas-fields-new-bid-expand-west-palmyra/. dead.
  52. Web site: Syrian Army liberates last hilltops overlooking Hayyan Gas Fields in west Palmyra. 10 February 2017. Al-Masdar News. 13 February 2017. 17 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170517131725/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-liberates-last-hilltops-overlooking-hayyan-gas-fields-west-palmyra/. dead.
  53. Web site: داعش يستعيد السيطرة على عدة نقاط قرب مطار T4 شرق حمص. https://web.archive.org/web/20170211191130/http://aranews.org/2017/02/%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%B4-%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D9%86%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B7-%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D9%85%D8%B7/. dead. 11 February 2017. 7 February 2017. ARA News. ar.
  54. Web site: Syrian Army advances east towards key gas fields in Palmyra's countryside. 13 February 2017. Al-Masdar News. 13 February 2017. 15 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170515054609/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-advances-east-towards-key-gas-fields-palmyras-countryside/. dead.
  55. Web site: Syrian Army liberates Hayyan Gas Fields in west Palmyra. Leith. Fadel. 14 February 2017. 21 February 2017. 14 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170214184118/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-liberates-hayyan-gas-fields-west-palmyra-2/. dead.
  56. News: Syrian Army enters Jihar Gas Fields after fierce battle with ISIS in west Palmyra. Fadel. Leith. 16 February 2017. AMN - Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. 16 February 2017. en-US. 25 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200925054129/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-enters-jihar-gas-fields-fierce-battle-isis-west-palmyra/. dead.
  57. News: Four Russian servicemen killed in car blast in Syria. TASS. 20 February 2017. 21 February 2017.
  58. https://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=60987 After the Russian claim about the regime’s advancement to 20 km distance from Palmyra city… the regime forces reach to about 24 kilometers away west of the city
  59. News: The Syrian Army fully recaptured the settlement of Bayarat Gharbiyah from ISIS terrorists.. Syria Today. 17 February 2017. 17 February 2017.
  60. News: ISIS suffers more setbacks as the Syrian Army advances on Palmyra. Fadel. Leith. Al-Masdar News. 17 February 2017. 17 February 2017. 19 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170519151309/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-suffers-setbacks-syrian-army-advances-palmyra/. dead.
  61. News: Scores of ISIS terrorists killed during failed counter-offensive in west Palmyra: video. Fadel. Leith. Al-Masdar News. 17 February 2017. 20 February 2017. 19 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170519160629/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/scores-isis-terrorists-killed-failed-counter-offensive-west-palmyra-video/. dead.
  62. News: Syrian Army advances within 15km of Palmyra after liberating new area. Fadel. Leith. Al-Masdar News. 18 February 2017. 20 February 2017. 4 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190204063641/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-advances-within-15km-palmyra-liberating-new-area/. dead.
  63. News: ISIS struggles to hold ground as the Syrian Army advances within 10km of the Palmyra Triangle. Fadel. Leith. Al-Masdar News. 19 February 2017. 20 February 2017. 19 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170519164018/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-struggles-hold-ground-syrian-army-advances-within-10km-palmyra-triangle/. dead.
  64. News: Syrian Army liberates new points in west Palmyra. Fadel. Leith. Al-Masdar News. 19 February 2017. 20 February 2017. 19 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170519163139/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-liberates-new-points-west-palmyra/. dead.
  65. News: Russian strategic bombers propel the Syrian Army in western Palmyra. Fadel. Leith. Al-Masdar News. 20 February 2017. 28 February 2017. 21 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170521050131/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russian-strategic-bombers-propel-syrian-army-western-palmyra/. dead.
  66. News: Syrian Army inches closer to Palmyra as ISIS struggles to hold ground. Fadel. Leith. 24 February 2017. AMN - Al-Masdar News. 24 February 2017. 30 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170730002638/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-inches-closer-palmyra-isis-struggles-hold-ground/. dead.
  67. Web site: Russian airstrikes pave the way for Syrian Army gains in west Palmyra. Leith. Fadel. 24 February 2017. 24 February 2017. 30 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170730001129/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russian-airstrikes-pave-way-syrian-army-gains-west-palmyra/. dead.
  68. News: BREAKING: Syrian Army reaches key mountain overlooking Palmyra city. Tomson. Chris. 24 February 2017. AMN - Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. 24 February 2017. en-US. 30 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170730002652/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-reaches-key-mountain-overlooking-palmyra-city/. dead.
  69. News: Syrian Army imposes fire control over Al-Mahr Gas Fields in western Palmyra. Tomson. Chris. 26 February 2017. AMN - Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. 28 February 2017. en-US. 29 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170729234041/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-imposes-fire-control-al-mahr-gas-fields-western-palmyra/. dead.
  70. News: BREAKING: Syrian Army reaches key mountain overlooking Palmyra city. Tomson. Chris. 24 February 2017. AMN - Al-Masdar News المصدر نيوز. 28 February 2017. en-US. 29 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170729234041/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-imposes-fire-control-al-mahr-gas-fields-western-palmyra/. dead.
  71. News: Syrian Army liberates all points overlooking Al-Mahr Gas Fields. Fadel. Leith. 26 February 2017. Al-Masdar News. 28 February 2017. 29 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170729231103/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-liberates-points-overlooking-al-mahr-gas-fields/. dead.
  72. News: Syrian Army unstoppable amid new gains on the outskirts of Palmyra. Tomson. Chris. 27 February 2017. Al-Masdar News. 28 February 2017. 29 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170729222717/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-unstoppable-amid-new-gains-outskirts-palmyra/. dead.
  73. News: Activists Say Syrian Pro-government Forces Near IS-held Palmyra . 28 February 2017. Bloomberg L.P.. The Associated Press. 28 February 2017.
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  75. News: Syrian army advances to outskirts of IS-held Palmyra. 1 March 2017. Digital Journal. The Associated Press. 1 March 2017.
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