Syrian government forces backed by heavy Russian airstrikes have reportedly retaken the ancient city of Palmyra, dealing a major blowing to ISIS forces that seized the city last year and blew up its temples. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed the news.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: “We are encouraged and fortunate that Syrian government forces have been able to retrieve—or defeat ISIS from Palmyra and is now able to preserve and protect these human common asset—cultural asset. And I’m also encouraged by the announcement that they (Syria’s government) will try to not only preserve and protect, they will try to restore.”