Syrian army expects to recapture Palmyra "within hours"

BEIRUT: Syrian government forces are less than 1 km (half a mile) from Palmyra and hope to recapture the city within a few hours from Islamic State fighters, a Syrian soldier told state television on Wednesday in a live broadcast from the outskirts of the city.

"We are 850 metres from Palmyra city. In a few hours(government) forces will declare the city of Palmyra completely secure, God willing," the soldier said.