叙利亚收复帕尔米拉，誓言继续打击

Syria's army says the recapture of the historic site Palmyra will be a launching point for expanded operations against the Islamic State group.

Backed by Russian airstrikes, pro-Syrian forces reclaimed control of Palmyra after a 10-month Islamic State occupation that included the destruction of several monuments dating back nearly 2,000 years.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the offensive left 400 militants dead along with more than 180 pro-government fighters. President Bashar al-Assad hailed it as an "important achievement, and fresh proof of the efficiency of the Syrian army and its allies in fighting terrorism."

State media said experts will be in Palmyra in the coming days to assess the damage done by the militants.