File photo shows damaged vehicles near the Russian Embassy building (rear C) after an explosion in central Damascus.
At least one civilian has been killed and several others injured near the Russian Embassy in Damascus by shellfire from militants fighting against the Syrian government.
According to Syria’s official news agency, SANA, two mortar shells hit al-Adawi area in Damascus on Tuesday. Opposition sources, however, claimed that five shells have hit the area with some of them striking near the Russian Embassy.
Residents in the area said the mortars landed about 150 meters from the building that houses the Russian Embassy, AP reported.
Two mortar shells fired by militants also landed in the nearby Barada Club Park in al-Faihaa, causing material damage only.
Militants have targeted the Russian Embassy several times since the beginning of unrest in Syria two years ago.
Meanwhile, Syrian troops have pushed foreign-backed militants out of several Damascus suburbs, including, Joubar, Zamalka and Hijjera, and restored security and stability to the areas. Scores of militants are reported to be killed in the security operations to clear Damascus suburbs of terrorist groups.
There are also reports of clashes between the Syrian army and militants in several other cities, including Homs, Aleppo an al-Qusayr.
Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since March 2011, and many people, including large numbers of government forces, have been killed in the violence.
Several international human rights organizations have said that the militants are committing war crimes.
HM/PR
This article originally appeared on: Press TV