Islamic State Suffering Heavy Losses Trying to Seize Palmyra

MiG-21 of the Syrian Air Force. Photo: foroaviones.com

BELGRADE - Daesh terrorists have made another attempt to capture the city of Palmyra, Russia's center for Syrian reconciliation said on Sunday.

"Over 4,000 Daesh terrorists have regrouped and again tried to capture Palmyra," the center's statement said.

The center noted Daesh had moved considerable forces from their stronghold of Raqqa after the US-backed offensive of Arab and Kurdish rebels was stalled. More forces and equipment were relocated from the vicinity of Deir ez-Zor.

The center cited intelligence data that showed Daesh had moved up to 5,000 fighters to the cities of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor from the Iraqi stronghold of Mosul.

"Currently the Syrian troops are maintaining defense in Palmyra," the statement added.

The Syrian army is being backed by Russian aircraft. "Despite huge losses,...