Syria government says it has intensified airstrikes against multiple extremist stongholds, killing hundreds of armed militants.
On Tuesday, the Syrian air force hit an Islamic State-controlled air base in Raqqa province, killing more than 140 militants. The strike was launched a week after the group seized Palmyra from the government. The city of Raqqa has been declared by Islamic State as the de facto capital of its "caliphate" in Syria and Iraq.
The group has made notable gains in both countries this month, capturing both Ramadi in Iraq and Palmyra in Syria.
Meanwhile, Syrian opposition groups have just closed their three-day consultation in Khazakstan on Syria's civil war. They are expected to submit a political resolution at a later time when they hold talks with government representatives. Russia has been playing a major role in mediating talks between the warring sides, and a Russian analyst says a political solution is strongly advocated by Russia.