CRI听力:Syria Regains Control of Surrounding Areas of Archaeological City of Palmyra

The Syrian army has reportedly regained control of areas surrounding the historic city of Palmyra.

Syrian state TV, citing a military source, is reporting the Syrian military has killed dozens of Islamic State militants to the east of Palmyra.

It's being reported Islamic State fighters have pulled out of northern areas around the city, but are still holding a village to the north of Palmyra.

The head of the Syrian government's antiquities department says they believe the ancient ruins to the southwest of the city have been left unharmed.

The militant group's attack on Palmyra has raised concern that its World Heritage site could meet the same fate as ancient monuments the group has destroyed in Iraq.

Palmyra was first built some 4-thousand years ago during the Neolithic age, and is one of the few remaining ancient communities still standing from that time.

The community later became a hub of trade during the Roman era.

Many traders from the city later established outposts along the Silk Road.

Palmyra is strategically significant because it sits at a crossroads linking it to the cities of Homs and Damascus.