Syria army vows to liberate Raqqah, Deir al-Zawr from Daesh

After liberating the ancient city of Palmyra, the Syrian army has vowed to press ahead with counter-terror military operations and drive Daesh (ISIL) terrorists out of their major strongholds, particularly Raqqah Province.

In a statement read out on state TV on Sunday, the General Command of the Syrian Army and Armed Forces hailed the victory against Daesh in Palmyra as the beginning of the terror group’s collapse in the entire Arab state.

It added that Syrian armed forces, backed by popular defense groups and Russian air cover, managed to restore “security and stability” to the UNESCO-listed city following a series of “precise and effective” operations.

With Palmyra under control, Syrian soldiers are determined to step up their anti-Daesh offensives on various fronts “on top being Deir al-Zawr and Raqqah,” two provinces in Syria’s east and north, respectively, the statement said.

Earlier in the day, Syrian forces retook full control of Palymra after some four weeks of fierce fighting with Daesh terrorists near the city, located in the western province of Homs.

The ruins of Palmyra and the adjoining modern city had fallen to Daesh last May. Soon after seizing the area, the terrorists went on a rampage and destroyed ancient monuments there, including the 2,000-year-old Temple of Bel and the iconic Arch of Triumph.

EA