RNA - The recapture of the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra by Daesh jihadists was supervised by the United States, Syria's President Bashar Assad told the Japanese TBS broadcaster.
"They [Daesh militants] could retake Palmyra under the supervision of the Americans, under the surveillance of the American drones; they came through the desert and they occupied Palmyra," Assad said, according to the interview transcript published by Syria's SANA News Agency.
The Syrian president added that the Daesh had been created "under the supervision" of the United States and sponsored by Turkey, so Syria could not expect a genuine fight against Daesh from those countries.
Earlier in the day, reports emerged that ISIL militants destroyed the world-known tetrapylon and parts of the Roman theater in the ancient city of Palmyra.
In December 2016, ISIL captured the ancient city of Palmyra from Syrian government forces.
According to various sources, the number of terrorists that took part in the storming of the city reached 5,000 including hundreds of suicide bombers and dozens of armored vehicles.
847/940