At least 16 people have been killed in Russian air strikes on central
Syrian town of Qaryatain that was taken by Islamic State last August,
activists said as army troops backed by their Shiite allies intensify attacks to
halt ISIS gains in the
southwest and east of Homs province.
Activists said most victims were from the ISIS-newly captured town of Maheen who fled to the nearby town of Qaryatain.
Homs-based activists said about 30,000 people have fled Maheen, Hawareen and Sadad towns to Qaryatin and some headed Raqqa and Hasaka.
ISIS news feeds say the group has launched early Monday a surprise attack on Jazel and al-Dawwa region, about 17 miles (25 km) west of Ancient city of Palmyra.
More than 265 victims have been killed in Russian attacks last October, the Syrian Network for human Rights said.
Islamic State issued a statement claiming the advance, which brought it within 20 km (13 miles) of the north-south highway linking Damascus to Syria's other main cities Homs, Hama and Aleppo.
Activists said the radical group seek to control Syrian regime's biggest ammunition depots in the war-torn country amid fears of invading the next-door Christian town of Sadad.about 25 kilometers (15 miles) southeast of Maheen.
Most of the recent attacks by the Syrian army, which is backed by Russian air strikes and allied fighters from Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah, have focused on insurgent groups other than Islamic State.
Activists said most victims were from the ISIS-newly captured town of Maheen who fled to the nearby town of Qaryatain.
Homs-based activists said about 30,000 people have fled Maheen, Hawareen and Sadad towns to Qaryatin and some headed Raqqa and Hasaka.
ISIS news feeds say the group has launched early Monday a surprise attack on Jazel and al-Dawwa region, about 17 miles (25 km) west of Ancient city of Palmyra.
More than 265 victims have been killed in Russian attacks last October, the Syrian Network for human Rights said.
Islamic State issued a statement claiming the advance, which brought it within 20 km (13 miles) of the north-south highway linking Damascus to Syria's other main cities Homs, Hama and Aleppo.
Activists said the radical group seek to control Syrian regime's biggest ammunition depots in the war-torn country amid fears of invading the next-door Christian town of Sadad.about 25 kilometers (15 miles) southeast of Maheen.
Most of the recent attacks by the Syrian army, which is backed by Russian air strikes and allied fighters from Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah, have focused on insurgent groups other than Islamic State.
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