3 wounded in fresh mortar attack in Syrian capital

A mortar attack by militants on Monday hit the Syrian capital, Damascus, wounding three people in the second such strike in two days.

The projectile bomb shell targeted the central Ummayad Square, close to the buildings of state television and Defense Ministry.

Syria’s official news agency said the missile caused damage, but gave no further details.

On Sunday, an open-air market and the al-Amarra district in central Damascus were shelled in two other mortar attacks. Three people were killed and a dozen more injured in the attacks. In total, thirty-three people have died in previous mortar attacks this month on the capital and its outskirts.

Syria has been witnessing unrest since March 2011. Western powers and some of their regional allies – particularly, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey – are logistically and financially backing the militants in Syria.

As of June 2015, the conflict has reportedly left more than 230,000 people dead, including some11,500 children. By some estimates, the death toll is as high as 310,000.

ISIL terrorists and other militants have committed grave human rights violations such as massacres, the use of chemical weapons and shelling and bombings of civilian areas.

In addition to these, the Takfiri militant group has committed heinous atrocities against all ethnic and religious groups in the areas under its control, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians, Izadi Kurds and others.