Damascus, Sep 23 (IANS): Syrian troops Tuesday killed 18 rebels from the Al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front in the northwestern province of Idlib, media reported.

The Syrian forces targeted the positions of the Nusra Front in the town of Sarqeb in the countryside of Idlib, Xinhua reported citing state news agency SANA, adding that the Syrian troops eliminated dozens of terrorists in Tamana and Ehsim on the outskirts of Idlib.

The Syrian troops' operation came just hours after the US-led coalition carried out airstrikes against the positions of the Islamic State (IS) and Nusra Front in the northwestern province of al-Raqqa, the countryside of Idilb, and the eastern province of Deir al-Zour.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the US-led coalition killed 50 fighters from the Nusra Front earlier Tuesday, adding that the foreign airstrikes also targeted the positions of the IS in the oil-rich province of Deir al-Zour, leaving scores of IS fighters dead.

The US and its partners have begun striking IS targets in Syria with a mix of fighters, bombers and Tomahawk missiles before daybreak Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates have reportedly participated in the airstrikes. The Syrian government said it was informed about the strike in advance.