Syria forces retake Palmyra in major victory over IS

Syrian troops backed by Russian forces recaptured the famed ancient city of Palmyra from the Islamic State group on Sunday in a major victory over the jihadists. Army sappers were defusing mines and bombs planted by IS in the city's ancient ruins, a UNESCO world heritage site where the jihadists sparked a global outcry with the systematic destruction of treasured monuments. "After heavy fighting during the night, the army is in full control of Palmyra -- both the ancient site and the residential