DAMASCUS, Syria — Three people were killed and at least 35 wounded in rocket attacks on Damascus on Thursday, state news agency SANA reported, in what appeared to be the second heavy bombardment by insurgent group Islam Army in less than two weeks. Shells thought to have been fired from the east of the capital could be heard exploding in the city, a witness said.
Local media reported that Islam Army, which is based in the eastern Ghouta region on the outskirts of the city, was behind the attack on several residential areas. SANA said only that "infidel terrorists" carried out the bombardment. It showed a photograph of a blackened car with its trunk blown off.
State television said three missiles hit areas around the historical Umayyad Mosque, one of the largest in the world and located in the capital's Old City. A witness in Damascus on Thursday heard more than 30 bombardments in quick succession. Islam Army's leader said on Tuesday that his group would target the Syrian capital, which is under government control. Insurgents and the Syrian military are battling for control of eastern areas close to the capital.
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