(Damascus) This past week Syrian regime forces comprising of Syrian/Russian/Iranian/Lebanese and Afghan troops retook the area around the ancient ruined city of Palmyra . Whilst the liberal world have reported on rescuing this historical city from the clutches of the religious bigots of ISIS. The real reason for the Assad Government is that it sits on a strategic crossroads, the seizure of which restricts the ability of ISIS to project force into Western Syria from
its safe haven along the Euphrates River Valley and provides a much-needed
buffer for several critical regime-held oil and natural gas fields that provide
electricity to Western Syria.
Operations against ISIS in the Palmyra region commenced
after the battle of Aleppo finished and despite the draw down of Russian air assets announced by Moscow on the 14th March 16.
The Russian Air-force carried out at least 41 sorties against 146 targets near
Palmyra between March 22 and March 24 alone, which kind of explains why people
living in the area have reported that half the city has been destroyed. On the ground
saw the deployment of RussianTOS-1 (Video) and BM-30 ‘Smerch’ (video) heavy multiple rocket launcher systems as well as
Mi-24 ‘Hind’ helicopter gunships in support of operations to seize Palmyra. All
this was supported by over 5000 troops comprising of Syrian Marines, Hezballah,
Afghan Shias and the Iranian army.
With the capture of this strategic crossroads, the Syria regime is using the region as a stepping board in which to advance further into ISIS held territory now that it has solidified its position in the west of the country,
