A battle for control of the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra is continuing between government forces and self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) militants.
IS seized the city on Sunday from government troops despite a wave of Russian airstrikes,
Backed by Russian air power, the Syrian government had recaptured Palmyra, home to towering 2,000-year-old ruins, to great fanfare in March.
But the militants have been steadily advancing in recent days while the government has waged a major offensive against rebels in the northern city of Aleppo.
The United States and Russia are said to be considering a proposal to rebels in Aleppo that would offer safe passage from the city for fighters, their families and other civilians.
The rebel groups in Aleppo have yet to respond to the proposal.
It would require fighters from the jihadist group formerly known as Nusra Front to head to the northwestern province of Idlib, but allow fighters from other groups to go to other destinations including areas near the Turkish border northeast of Aleppo.
Implementation would be carried out over a 48-hour period, and UN oversight would be sought.
Fighters would be allowed to take their light weapons with them, but must leave heavy weapons behind.
