(VOVworld) - Syrian army troops backed by war planes have advanced to within several kilometers of Palmyra city in the central province of Homs.

The ancient site of Palmyra was taken by IS in May (Photo: AFP)

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group, said ground troops had reached some three miles west of the city and were engaged in fierce clashes with Islamic State militants. The British-based organization said the fighting had been accompanied by intensive regime air strikes on Palmyra, which is famed for its ancient ruins and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. There was no immediate toll from the fighting or the air strikes, which have generally targeted the residential part of Palmyra, not its ancient sector. Syria’s SANA news agency said army troops targeted their air strikes on IS positions in Palmyra and other areas of Homs.