Palmyra offensive (March 2016)

The Palmyra offensive (March 2016) was a military operation of the Syrian Arab Army, supported by Russian airstrikes,^[39] to recapture from the Islamic State the city of Tadmur (near the ruins of the ancient city of Palmyra), which was strategically important for both forces due to its position in central Syria.^[40] The city was fully recaptured on 27 March.

For the two previous offensives, see Palmyra offensive (May 2015) and Palmyra offensive (July–August 2015).

: The spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt stated they "welcomed the liberation of the historic Syrian city of Palmyra" and said that Egypt "has realized the imminent danger that threatens the cultural heritage of the region in the light of attacks" by ISIL.^[94]

Egypt

: Secretary of Iran's SNSC Ali Shamkhani congratulated Syria for the victory, adding that Iran's Armed Forces will continue to support the country's war against terrorist groups.^[95]

Iran

: President of Russia Vladimir Putin congratulated Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on regaining Palmyra and reassured him that Russia would continue to support the Syrian government in fighting terrorists.^[96]

Russia

: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told a French delegation in Damascus, "The liberation of the historic city of Tadmur (Palmyra) today is an important achievement and is evidence of the efficacy of the strategy adopted by the Syrian Army and its allies in the war on terrorism".^[97]

Syria

[98]

: Mark Toner of the US State Department in his briefing, when answering questions about the fate of Palmyra on 24 March, a day before the major Syrian offensive, said: "I mean, broadly speaking, it's not a great choice, an either/or—but, which is worse, Daesh or the regime... we think Daesh is probably the greater evil in this case."^[100]