A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said three mortar shells landed close to the French Hospital in the al-Qasaa neighborhood of central Damascus on Sunday afternoon, Syria’s official SANA news agency reported.
The source added that the mortar attack has killed 8 civilians and wounded 24 others.
Foreign-sponsored militants also fired a mortar shell at the Holy Cross Church in the al-Qasaa neighborhood, and part of the church building was damaged in the attack. Three civilians also sustained injuries in the act of terror.
A number of houses, shops and cars were also damaged when a projectile struck the al-Yabroudi Street in al-Qasaa neighborhood. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Over the past few months, Damascus has come under mortar fire from anti-government militant groups holed up in suburbs on the outskirts of the city. This comes while Syrian troops are continuing operations against the armed groups to drive them out.
Syria has been gripped by deadly turmoil since 2011. Reports indicate that Western powers and their regional allies -- especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey -- are supporting the militants operating inside the country.
According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have been killed and millions of others displaced in the violence.
HH/HH