SYRIAN troops were poised to liberate Palmyra from Islamic State (Isis) yesterday after seizing high ground around the ancient city.

The army and allied militias captured the key Palmyra Triangle area and all heights overlooking the Roman ruins and nearby Tadmur from the west and south-west.

Syrian warplanes also blitzed Isis convoys on the road to As-Suknah to the west, destroying dozens of vehicles.