In Video: Syrian Army expands control around Palmyra

The government forces resume a wide-scale military operation to retake more swathes of land from the Islamic State in the eastern countryside of Homs.

Led by the elite 5^th Legion and backed by the Russian airstrikes, the forces made a significant advance today, recapturing several hills around the strategic Qattar mountain, located some 25 km to the northeast of the ancient city of Palmyra.

Today’s progress will further propel the Syrian Army to impose fire control over the imperative Arak gas fields.

According to a military source, at least 15 ISIS militants have been killed, 2 technical vehicles and 2 machinegun-mounted pickup trucks have been also destroyed.