DUSHANBE, 03.03.2017. /NIAT “Khovar”/. Russia’s Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu reported to President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on Thursday that the Syrian government troops have completed their operation to seize Palmyra with the support of the Russian air task force, TASS reports citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Militants of the Islamic State terrorist grouping (outlawed in Tajikistan) seized Palmyra in May 2015 and in late March 2016 the Syrian government troops liberated the city with the support of the Russian air task force. In December last year, Palmyra was recaptured by extremists.

A year ago, the operation to free Palmyra lasted two weeks. The Syrian government troops stormed the ancient fortress at the entrance to the city on March 25, 2016. Two days later, they entered Palmyra. Large contribution to the liberation of «the pearl of the Syrian desert» was made by the Russian air task force, which delivered pinpointed airstrikes on IS positions. Russian combat engineers subsequently removed mines from the famous ruins of the ancient city.

Terrorists regained control of Palmyra on December 11 last year after a retreat of the government forces.

The Syrian government troops established earlier on Thursday full control of the Jabal al-Tar strategic heights over Palmyra.