Syrian government forces have taken control of the last major town held by rebels in western Latakia province.

Observers say that troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad ousted rebels from the town of Rabia earlier today.

The town had been held by the opposition since 2012.

Meanwhile, at least 63 people, including nine children, are reported to have died in air strikes in Eastern Syria.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights believes that Russian jets carried out the raids near the city of Deir al-Zor.

The group claims that 164 civilians - including 43 children and 25 women - have been killed by Russian and Syrian airstrikes in the countryside near Deir al-Zor over the past 72 hours.

The latest developments come as activists say there is growing resistance to the rule of Islamic State in the group's makeshift capital of Raqqa.

They claim most of the civilian population is refusing to join the group.

Abdalaziz Alhamza is a founder of a group called "Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently", and says people "can't say anything against ISIS because they will be executed".

US Secretary of State John Kerry has said he is confident that Syria peace talks due to be held in Geneva will proceed as planned, despite reported uncertainty over tomorrow's proposed start date.