Syrian regime forces backed by Russian air strikes launched an offensive in the central province of Homs today, Syria’s state media said. State television 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 air strikes in the area of fighting, killing at least 10 people, six of them rebels. The Britain-based monitor reported heavy fighting between regime 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 said the Homs operation was “linked strategically” to regime operations in neighbouring Hama province in recent days.