Seven dead in Syria mortar attacks

Syrian activists say two mortar shells have slammed into a Damascus suburb, killing at least seven people and wounding 30.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the shells hit today near a municipality building and a school in Jaramana suburb. The Observatory relies on reports from activists on the ground.

A Syrian official confirmed that two shells landed in Jaramana, a neighbourhood south east of the capital, and said seven people were killed.

Damascus suburbs have been opposition strongholds during the two-year-old conflict.

The rebels fighting to topple President Bashar Assad have set up enclaves in the areas in hopes of eventually storming the capital from there.