The Syrian army is 850 meters away from retaking the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria which has been systematically destroyed by the Islamic State/IS/ISIS. The city has become encircled by Syrian troops aided by Russian helicopters targeting armored ISIS vehicles. China Xinhua reports: The Syrian force also used motorcycles in their attack on the IS in Palmyra due to the geographical nature of that area. Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the Syrian forces, backed by Russian airstrikes, have approached the outskirts of Palmyra, following days of intense battles for recapture of the city in eastern countryside of the central province of Homs. The UK-based watchdog group said intense battles are raging at the southern and southwestern outskirts of Palmyra between the Syrian forces and the IS militants. It added that the Syrian army is heavily shelling the IS positions inside Palmyra amid heavy airstrikes against the terror group. The progress came just a day after the Syrian forces captured all hills and highlands surrounding Palmyra, according to pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV. The progress secured the Syrian army progress on the western entrance of Palmyra, which was supported by joint Russian-Syrian airstrikes. Since capturing it last May, the [...]