Syrian activists: 2 mortar shells hit Damascus suburb, killing 7 people

BEIRUT – 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 Wednesday 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 neighborhood southeast of the capital. He says seven people were killed. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to talk to reporters.

Damascus suburbs have been opposition strongholds during the 2-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.