SYRIAN government forces launched a major ground offensive against terrorist fighters yesterday, backed by Russian air and sea power.

Troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad went into action in the western provinces of Idlib and Hama, where Russian jets have been pounding militants for a week.

Four Russian warships cruising 900 miles away in the Caspian Sea launched 26 cruise missiles across Iran and Iraq to strike at Islamic State (Isis) targets.