Al-Masdar reported, the Syrian Arab Army’s “Tiger Forces” – backed by Hezbollah, Liwaa Imam ‘Ali (Iraqi paramilitary), and the Desert Hawks Brigade – liberated more sites near the strategic city of Palmyra (Tadmur) on Thursday after a violent series of clashes with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

According to the official Tiger Forces media page, the Syrian Armed Forces and their allies liberated several ISIL trenches at the village of Wadi Dhakara after steadily advancing in Palmyra’s northern countryside.

In addition to their assault at Wadi Dhakara, the Tiger Forces and their allies are pushing east towards the Qatari Royal Villa after seizing much of Jabal Hayyal and its surrounding hilltops that lead to Palmyra’s western gates.