Russian warplanes launch air strikes in Syria

Damascus: Russian warplanes on Wednesday launched airstrikes against rebel positions in the countryside of the Syrian provinces of Hama and Homs in Syria and Latakia on the coast.

"The Russian and Syrian war jets on Wednesday started striking the terrorist positions in the countryside of Hama, Homs and Latakia," the source said on condition of anonymity.

More specifically, the airstrikes targeted "over the past few hours" the areas of Ghamam, Jabal Zuwaid and Deir Hanna in northeast of Latakia, as well as the towns of Rastan and Talbiseh in Homs countryside.

The airstrikes also targeted the militant group's positions in Latamneh and Kafr Zaita northwest of Hama.

The strikes were coupled by an intensive reconnaissance flights, said the source, adding that tens of terrorists were killed in the strikes.

Earlier in the day, Russia's Federation Council, the upper house of parliament, granted President Vladimir Putin approval to send armed forces to Syria, Russian Presidential Administration Chief Sergei Ivanov said Wednesday.

"The Federation Council unanimously supported the president's request," Tass news agency quoted Ivanov as saying.

According to Ivanov, only air forces would be used by Russia in Syria to fight against Islamic State militants at the request of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Earlier in the day, Putin formally requested permission from the upper house to send "contingent of Russian Armed Forces" outside Russian territories "in line with universally recognized principles and international laws," according to an online statement released by the Kremlin.