Syrian government forces and militia fighters are locked in fierce battles with Islamic State (ISIL or Daesh) militants outside the historic Syrian city of Palmyra, a source in the Syrian military told RIA Novosti on Saturday.
There have been media reports that Daesh fighters have reentered Palmyra after they were ousted from it by government forces months ago with air support from Russia.
"The Syrian army and militias are fighting fiercely against IS on the outskirts of the [villages of] Jazal and Shaer, the situation around the Attar mountain ridge remains tense," the military source said. "Army forces have regrouped and left several positions along the ridge."
