Syria: intense battle for ancient city of Palmyra

 

 

PALMYRA: -- An intense battle for control of Palmyra in Syria has reportedly been swinging back and forth between government forces and ISIL fighters.

 

Moscow said its airstrikes had helped force the hardline Islamists out of the ancient city overnight. The Russian Defence Ministry its jets carried out 64 sorties during the operation, killing more than 300 militants.

 

However, a news agency linked to so called Islamic State claims the militants are now back in control of Palmyra after briefly retreating. That account was backed up by the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the conflict.

 

ISIL launched a surprise offensive on the UNESCO world heritage site last week seizing nearby oil and gas fields.

 

The Syrian army is believed to have sent reinforcements to Palmyra which ISIL first took in May 2015 until they were eventually kicked out in March this year.

 

 

-- © Copyright Euronews 2016-12-12

Once you gain control of a place, it's always a good idea to secure it.   Seems somebody forgot to do that.    

64 bombing raids to kill 300 militants?  I wonder how many bombs.  I wonder how much damage to this ancient city.  And how many civilians were also killed.

What a tragic waste.... there's almost nothing left to fight over.

9 hours ago, craigt3365 said:

64 bombing raids to kill 300 militants?  I wonder how many bombs.  I wonder how much damage to this ancient city.  And how many civilians were also killed.

Based on past history, the terrorists were, likely, going to kill civilians. Should the world let these terrorists win? Chamberlain tried appeasement and look what happened. Want to give that another shot? ISIL are known as "terrorists" for a reason. There should be no halfway stand with them - wipe them out before they do the same to anyone else who opposes them! Unfortunately, there is always "collateral damage" in any war. Not nice but a fact.

 

Are you with them or against them? Rhetorical question.

Just now, lvr181 said:

Based on past history, the terrorists were, likely, going to kill civilians. Should the world let these terrorists win? Chamberlain tried appeasement and look what happened. Want to give that another shot? ISIL are known as "terrorists" for a reason. There should be no halfway stand with them - wipe them out before they do the same to anyone else who opposes them! Unfortunately, there is always "collateral damage" in any war. Not nice but a fact.

 

Are you with them or against them? Rhetorical question.

LOL Definitely not "with" them. LOL  Also, not in favorite of the use of highly inaccurate bombs that cause lots of collateral damage.  Like the ones currently used by Russia and Syria.  There are other approaches.  Barrel bombs are not they way to go.

2 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

LOL Definitely not "with" them. LOL  Also, not in favorite of the use of highly inaccurate bombs that cause lots of collateral damage.  Like the ones currently used by Russia and Syria.  There are other approaches.  Barrel bombs are not they way to go.

I understand what you're saying but there is no simple, clinical way of dealing with the "cancer". And asking Russia and Syria to do what a decent westerner might expect is like p***ing into the wind.

6 minutes ago, lvr181 said:

I understand what you're saying but there is no simple, clinical way of dealing with the "cancer". And asking Russia and Syria to do what a decent westerner might expect is like p***ing into the wind.

100% correct!  No easy answers here.  It's an extremely complex situation.  And yes, Assad and Putin have proven they doesn't care about the people killed.

 

The coalition is currently using precision bombs.  Not perfect, but better than a barrel bomb.