Syrian government forces have been advancing into the ancient city of Palmyra on several fronts, supported by Russian air strikes.<br /><br /> The Islamic State militant group, also known as ISIL, seized control of the city in May 2015.<br /><br /> Forces loyal to the government are now said to have recaptured several parts of the city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site housing many Roman ruins.<br /><br /> A Syrian army field commander in Palmyra told Syria TV: “We are destroying the terrorists at the entrances to Palmyra, especially in the western districts of the city – and they are now withdrawing in large convoys and driving away from the city.<br /><br /> Mamoun Abdulkarim, the head of Syria’s antiquities authority, said that the Roman ruins destroyed by ISIL will be rebuilt after the Palmyra is recaptured – which he believes will be within days.<br /><br /> “We invite every expert party that loves Palmyra and wishes to cooperate with us in rebuilding Palmyra. But essentially we will depend on our own national efforts,” Abdu