The Syrian Army, National Defense Forces and Hezbollah have advanced against the ISIL militants near al-Hayyal and have deployed their units in the Southern side of Palmyra in Homs province. Pro-government forces are readying to launch the final attack on the city from three directions.
The Syrian army’s 67th Brigade, in coordination with the 550th Regiment, the NDF of Homs, Hezbollah, and Harakat Al-Nujaba (Iraqi paramilitary), struck the ISIL defensive positions at al-Hayyal in the Southern side of Palmyra (Tadmur) on Tuesday morning, killing several ISIL militants before advancing towards the Southern districts of this ancient city.
In addition to their advance at Al-Hayyal, the Syrian Armed Forces and their allies captured more territory along the Homs-Deir Ezzur Highway that leads to Palmyra’s Western side; this has paved the way for them to push towards the Qatari Royal Family’s villa that is now used by the ISIL as a training base for their new recruits.
With their recent success on the Southern and Western flanks of Palmyra, the Syrian Armed Forces are now in a position to attack this ancient desert city from three different sides, while the Russian Air Force strikes the Palmyra Military Airport and the road leading to the East district.
Reports also said on Tuesday that ISIL has sent hundreds of fresh troops, weapons and equipment to the city in the last several days in anticipation of heavy battles with the Syrian army in a decisive war.