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IS regains 'full control' of Palmyra after Syria army withdrawal

AFP
Beirut, Beirut Governorate, LebanonUpdated: Dec 11, 2016, 12:28 PM IST
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Government forces paused before entering its ravaged ancient ruins because of mines. In photo: The Monumental Arch of Palmyra, destroyed by the IS in 2015. Photograph:(AFP)

The Islamic State jihadist group recaptured Palmyra on Sunday after Syrian armed forces pulled out from the desert city, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

"Despite the ongoing air raids, IS retook all of Palmyra after the Syrian army withdrew south of the city," said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman.

The IS-linked Amaq news agency also reported that IS regained "full control" of the city on Sunday. 

(AFP)