Shelling of Syrian capital kills 5, wounds dozens

DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria’s state news agency says mortar attacks on the capital have killed five people and wounded dozens.

SANA says that during the attacks late Friday two rounds struck the Dweilaa district, killing four people and wounding 25. It says five mortar rounds hit the neighborhoods of al-Qasaa, Bab Touma, Qaimaria and Hamidiyeh, killing one person and wounding 12.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has a network of activists around the country, said Saturday the shelling killed 11 people and wounded more than 20.

Conflicting casualty figures are common in the chaotic aftermath of attacks.

Insurgents have shelled Damascus on several occasions in recent weeks, killing and wounding dozens of people.