The Syrian army has captured areas from the Islamic State (IS) group in the central province of Homs.
Syria's state media said the military and pro-regime militias took control of the town of Maheen and the village of Hawareen in the southeast of Homs Province after inflicting "heavy losses" on the militants.
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the army's advance, which it said had been backed by Russian warplanes and military helicopters.
It added that some 50 IS fighters were killed in days of fighting in Maheen, Hawareen, and surrounding areas.
The latest advances come nearly two months into a Russian air campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad.
The Syrian government's next push is expected to target the town of Qaryatain and later the historic town of Palmyra, which IS captured in May.
