BEIRUT, December 11. /TASS/. The Syrian army and militias have retreated from the central quarters of Palmyra to positions in the city’s suburbs, Al Ekhbariya television channel said on Sunday citing governor of the Homs province Talal al-Barrazi.

He said it was the decision of the Syrian army command. He said Islamic State terrorists attacked Palmyra massively from several directions.

"Syrian troops are offering fierce resistance and incur heavy losses to Islamic State militants," he said.