Syrian regime forces, backed by Russian aircraft, advanced towards the countryside of Homs, especially in the vicinity of Palmyra city and Al Qaryatayn town, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said on Friday.

Head of the SOHR Rami Abdulrahman said the Syrian army forces are at a distance of three kilometers from Palmyra city, adding they attained some victory in the southern and western sides.

The Syrian forces are on the outskirts of Qaryatayn town in the countryside of Homs, he added.

For his part, a Syrian military source said some sites of terrorist groups in Qaryatayn town were targeted by 40 Russian and Syrian air strikes.

Sources: MENA