Mortar fire kills 9 civilians, injures tens across Syria

A local source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said eight people lost their lives and 54 others sustained injuries when mortar shells struck the area surrounding the Thalah air base in Dara’a, located about 114 kilometers (70 miles) south of the capital, Damascus, a refugee camp, as well as the town of al-Naeemah on Tuesday, Syria’s official SANA news agency reported.

The source added that the projectiles also caused damage to several houses and buildings at the targeted areas.

Director for the Health Department in Dara’a Abdelwadoud al-Homsi said all the injured, mostly women and children, have been admitted to hospitals and clinics, where they are receiving medical treatment.

Separately, militants fired mortars at Saadallah al-Jabiri Square in Aleppo, which is located 355 kilometers (220 miles) north of Damascus, leaving 22 civilians injured.

In the city of Homs, located 162 kilometers (101 miles) north of Damascus, two mortar shells fell close to Homs Grand Hotel and onto a parking lot, setting a car on fire. The driver of the car was caught in the fire and subsequently died, while two other people sustained injuries.

Additionally, a total of 13 mortar rounds landed near a grocery market and a seminary school in the city of Harasta, located about 25 kilometers (15 miles) northeast of the capital. Twelve civilians were injured in the act of violence.

Cities and towns across Syria have suffered bomb attacks as well as mortar and rocket fire by Takfiri terrorists since a deadly conflict broke out in the Arab country more than four years ago.

The conflict in Syria, which started in March 2011, has reportedly claimed more than 240,000 lives up until now.

The violence has also forced over 3.8 million Syrians to take refuge in neighboring countries, including Jordan and Lebanon. More than 7.2 million others have been displaced within Syria, according to the United Nations (UN).