Russian Defense Ministry: ISIS attacked Palmyra after US-led coalition stopped operations in Raqqa

Russian Defense Ministry affirmed on Monday that ISIS terrorists exploited the suspension of the operations of the US-led coalition in Raqqa to attack Tadmur (Palmyra) city.


In a press conference, the Russian Defense Ministry’s spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said that ISIS organization attacked the city ahead from the North, the East and the South, adding that around 5,000 terrorists participated in the attack who came to Syria from the Iraqi city of al-Mosul, facing no hindrances on their way.

Konashenkov pointed out that around 4000 terrorists along with tanks, armored vehicles, Jeep cars equipped with heavy machineguns have moved quickly from the countryside of Raqqa and Deir Ezzor to the area surrounding Tadmur, adding that there had not been a group that large near Palmyra until last Thursday.

“Apparently, the ISIS militants had gathered around Palmyra, being very certain that combat operations in Raqqa would not resume,” he said.
 SANA
12/12/16