Russian airstrikes on opposition-held areas killed 56 civilians Thursday in Homs province, local sources told Anadolu Agency.

The sources said that 35 people were killed in al-Ghanto town, 15 in Teir Maalah town and six others in Talbiseh city.

The sources added that opposition forces managed to repel Syrian regime forces in Homs province’s northern countryside and killed a senior officer, who was leading the regime’s ground offensive, near Teir Maalah town.

Russia began carrying out airstrikes in war-torn Syria on Sept. 30. According to the Kremlin, the strikes are aimed at supporting the Assad regime -- an ally of Russia’s -- against ISIS.

Turkey and the West, for their part, accuse Russia of targeting moderate groups in Syria opposed to Assad, many of which are supported by Ankara and Washington.

At least 300,000 people have been killed since the beginning of the Syrian conflict in 2011, with 7.6 million internally displaced and over four million having fled to nearby countries.

PHOTO CAPTION

Frame grab taken from Russia's Defense Ministry footage shows explosion after airstrikes carried out by Russian air force in Idlib province, Syria

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