Syrian troops launch offensive in central Homs province
DAMASCUS - Syrian government forces launched an offensive Thursday in the central province of Homs under the cover of Russian airstrikes in an attempt to clear the central region of militants and open the highway between Syria's third and fourth largest cities, a military official and activists said.
A Syrian military official told The Associated Press that the army began an operation in Homs province aiming to "restore security to these areas."
The official said troops captured the town of Khaldiyeh near the central city of Hama.
State TV said troops killed several militants in the village of Teir Maalah near the city of Homs, Syria's third largest.
