MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Syrian army’s offensive on the city of Palmyra to recapture it from Daesh terrorists began on Thursday. On Friday, the units of the Syrian army and patriotic militia retook the historic Palmyra Castle from Daesh terrorists, reports said.
"I think we shall start working in April, when the city will be completely safe. Experts on the ground will look over the situation and assess destruction [of monuments]," Maamoun Abdulkarim told RIA Novosti.
Palmyra is considered key for advancing to Daesh stronghold of Raqqa in eastern Syria.
The city of Palmyra and its historic ruins have been under Daesh control since May 2015. The terrorist group has since destroyed part of the ruins, which are a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.
