Palmyra has been re-taken from ISIL, but booby traps left by the Islamist militants means residents have been reluctant to return.
ADVERTISEMENTSyria’s Palmyra, a UNESCO Heritage site, was re-taken from ISIL by Syrian Army forces last week.
But the ancient city remains in ruins after ISIL destruction. The city has changed hands several times since first being invaded by ISIL in 2015, and has experienced widespread destruction of the ancient monuments.
Explosives and traps left by ISIL mean citizens have not returned home since the Russian and Syrian armies pushed ISIL out of the city again.
The old city is symbolic, but also holds strategic importance in ISIL’s territory.
Since re-taking the area, Russian soldiers have been seen taking pictures in front of ancient monuments in the same places that fierce fighting raged just days ago.