The Capture of Palmyra: Victory in Battle, but Not a Turning Point

... possible only after fighting had stopped in eastern Syria following the ceasefire of February 27, 2016. The government used the quiet in Latakia, Aleppo and Damascus and its suburbs to send extra forces to east Homs and launch a military operation in Palmyra. Russia’s role in this offensive was crucial. Until spring 2016, only a few Russian airstrikes had hit Palmyra. As late as March, Russia sharply increased their intensity, hitting 146 IS targets in three days – March 22 to 24, 2016. It is precisely ...