PALMYRA WATCH: Backed by Russia, Syrian troops enter IS-held Palmyra. Assad forces advance on famed UNESCO World Heritage site as US-backed Iraqi forces prepare to retake jihadist stronghold of Mosul (AP). It appears that Syrian forces are advancing on the city, but the reports conflict on whether they have entered it or not.
Many more posts on Palmyra, its history, the ancient Aramaic dialect spoken there (Palmyrene), and the city's tragic recent fate in the hands of ISIS are here and follow the links. Background on Mosul is here, here, and here and links.