Isis takes control of 'strategically important' Syrian town near Homs

At least 50 government forces were killed in the battle for Maheen

Isis is attacking towns in the Homs province (AFP)

Isis forces have seized the Syrian town of Maheen in the southwest of Homs province, according to a human rights group.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 50 government fighters died in the Isis assault on the small but significant town in the heart of the country.

This victory means Isis is just 13 miles from the main road that connects the Syrian capital Damascus to the northern cities including Homs.

A statement from Isis, in which they described the town as 'strategically important', confirmed the attack. They also said they took weapons caches.

The militant group has strongholds in the country's north and east, but it has increased its presence in Homs province since taking over the historic city of Palmyra earlier this year, and then Qaryatain.

There have been reports of clashes in the outskirts of nearby Sadad, with Isis appearing intent on capturing next the Christian town.

Meanwhile US-backed Syrian rebels announced a fresh offensive against Isis in the northeast province of Hasaka, a day after the Obama administration said it would send special forces in an advisory capacity.

The Democratic Forces of Syria, a coalition of Kurdish militia and Syrian Arab rebel groups, launched a video to declare the commencement of its first operation.

"We announce today the start of the first step in our military operations," a spokesman for the alliance's general command said in Arabic.

The Kurdish YPG has been working closely with the US-led anti-Islamic State coalition since early this year, and has to date proved Washington's most effective partner on the ground against IS in Syria.

Hasaka province borders Iraq and Islamic State territory there, a crucial stronghold for the group. The YPG had pushed toward the border in previous fighting this year.

Additional reporting by Reuters