Syria extends major offensive

Russia says its missiles fired from Caspian Sea hit weapons’ factories

Syrian troops and allied militia, backed by Russian air strikes and cruise missiles fired from warships, attacked rebels forces yesterday as the government extended a major offensive to recapture territory in the west of the country.

Rebel advances in western Syria earlier this year had threatened the coastal region vital to president Bashar al-Assad’s control of the area and prompted Russia’s intervention on his side last week.