Activists say Russian strikes in central Syria kill 3

October 4, 2015 at 6:45 a.m. | Updated October 4, 2015 at 7:00 a.m.

by Associated Press

In this photo made from footage taken from Russian Defense Ministry official web site on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015 a bomb explosion is seen in Syria. Pentagon officials urged the Russian military on Thursday to focus its airstrikes in Syria on Islamic State fighters rather than opponents of Syrian President Bashar Assad, U.S. administration officials said. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)
In this photo made from footage taken from Russian Defense Ministry official web site on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015 a bomb explosion is seen in Syria. Pentagon officials urged the Russian military on Thursday to focus its airstrikes in Syria on Islamic State fighters rather than opponents of Syrian President Bashar Assad, U.S. administration officials said. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

BEIRUT (AP) - Syrian activists say Russian warplanes have struck in the central Homs province, killing at least two children and a shepherd.

An activist media platform in the central town of Talbiseh said at least 10 air raids were carried out on the town and nearby areas Sunday. A video posted by the group showed panicked residents fleeing.

Another Syria-based activist, who goes by the name Bebars al-Talawy, says at least 15 people were wounded.

Russia began launching airstrikes Wednesday, targeting mainly central and northwestern Syria, strategic regions that are the gateway to President Bashar Assad's main strongholds.

Moscow says it is targeting the Islamic State group and helping the Syrian government to fight terrorism, but at least some of its airstrikes have hit Western-backed rebels.

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