Updated

Syria's state media and an activist group say several mortar shells have struck the capital of Damascus and its suburbs, killing at least six people.

State TV says the deadliest among Thursday's attacks occurred in the suburb of Harasta, where six children were killed and eight were wounded.

State news agency SANA says five people were wounded when a mortar shell struck the upscale central neighborhood of Maliki.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says shells also struck central Damascus, including the Ummayad Square, which close to the TV and radio stations as well as the army command. It says there were no casualties in the square.

Also, activists say there are heavy clashes underway and air raids in the Damascus suburb of Mleiha.