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Syrian Government Forces Recapture Historic Palmyra from ISIS (20 photos)

After several weeks of fighting, Syrian government troops backed by Russian airstrikes were able to gain control of the ancient city of Palmyra this weekend, driving out ISIS militants who took the city last May. Archaeologists were rushing to the site to assess the damage, after earlier evidence of looting and destruction by the jihadist group. Officials have reported that demining experts have removed dozens of bombs planted by ISIS across the historic city. Following the pattern of other recent recaptures from ISIS, such as Kobani in Syria and Sinjar in Iraq, the occupation and battle to re-take Palmyra wreaked havoc on the city, leaving buildings and historic sites in ruins.

Smoke billows from the Palmyra citadel on March 25, 2016, during a military operation by Syrian troops to retake the ancient city from ISIS militants. ISIS suffered a double setback as army troops recaptured parts of Palmyra and the Pentagon said the jihadists’ second-in-command was killed in a US raid. (AFP / Getty)
http://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/03/syrian-government-forces-recapture-historic-palmyra-from-isis/475857/