The contaminant has been linked to the deaths of more than 300 children in Africa and Asia
Russia says Islamic State launches second assault on Syria's Palmyra
More than 4,000 Islamic State militants have regrouped and launched a second attack to try to recapture the ancient city of Palmyra, Russian news agencies cited Russia's monitoring center in Syria as saying.
Published : 11 Dec 2016, 01:25 PM
Updated : 11 Dec 2016, 01:25 PM
Also Read: IS fighters ‘driven’ from Palmyra
"Despite heavy losses in manpower and equipment, the terrorists are trying as hard as possible to secure a foothold inside the city," Interfax quoted a statement from the center as saying on Sunday.
"Syrian troops are fighting to defend Palmyra," it added.
The center said Islamic State was drawing on "significant forces" from its strongholds in Raqqa and Deir al Zor.
Earlier on Sunday, a news agency affiliated with the militants and a Britain-based monitoring group said Islamic State recaptured Palmyra after briefly retreating in the face of heavy Russian air strikes.
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