Syria army, Russian warplanes push offensive in central Homs

Syrian government forces backed by Russian airstrikes launched an offensive in the central province of Homs on Thursday, Syria's state media and a monitor said.

State television, citing a military source, said the army had begun a military operation in north and northwest Homs province "with the goal of restoring security and stability to the villages and towns in the area".

It said its forces had taken control of the village of Al-Dar Al-Kabirah, just north of Homs city.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said Russian planes had launched at least 15 airstrikes in the area of fighting, killing at least 10 people, six of them rebels.

The Britain-based monitor reported heavy fighting between government forces and rebels, particularly south of the rebel-held town of Talbisseh, which lies on the highway between the cities of Homs and Hama.

A military source in Syria told AFP that the Homs operation was "linked strategically" to government operations in neighbouring Hama province in recent days.

"The operation will continue until it reaches its goal of securing northern Homs and severing contacts between militants in Hama and militants in Homs," the source said.

Homs city is controlled by government forces, with the exception of a single neighbourhood, and Hama city is also under government control. 

But the area between the two provincial capitals, including the highway connecting them, is largely controlled by a patchwork of rebel groups.

The operation in Homs is the latest example of government forces working with Russian airpower to advance against opposition fighters.

Russia began an air campaign in Syria on 30 September, saying it was targeting the Islamic State (IS) group and other "terrorists".

But Syrian rebel and their backers say Moscow's firepower has been directed at opposition fighters rather than the IS militants.

The government is also seeking to advance with Russian air support in northern Hama province and the Sahl al-Ghab region between Hama, Idlib and Latakia provinces.