Syria's government has launched at least 15 airstrikes on the ancient city of Palymra, following its fall to Islamic State last week.

Hundreds of miles away, Iraq's forces have begun an offensive to re-take part of Anbar province from the militants.

Commander of the operation, Major General Qais Al Muhammadawi, is working with local Shia popular mobilisation forces, or PMF.

The militants now control most of Anbar province. A spokesperson for the Iraqi Interior Ministry told Sky News pro-government forces would take back Ramadi "within days".

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told BBC that troops "have the will to fight but when they are faced with an onslaught by [IS] from nowhere... with armoured trucks packed with explosives, the effect of them is like a small nuclear bomb."

Reaffirming hopes to retake Ramadi within days, Mr al-Abadi also called for more support from international coalition partners.

Syrian state television reported over the weekend that 400 civilians in Palmyra - mostly women and children - had been killed by IS fighters.

Hundreds of bodies were reportedly scattered in the streets of the city after it was seized by the ultra hardline group. Some had been beheaded.