Rebels fire rockets on Syrian capital, many wounded

Nearly 10 Katyusha rockets fired by rebels slammed into several parts of the capital Damascus early on Tuesday, leaving unknown losses yet, according to witnesses.

Five rockets hit the western district of Mazzeh, two others struck the vicinity of the Russian embassy in the Mazra'a neighborhood, and another two landed in the upscale neighborhood of Malki in central Damascus, witnesses said.

Wailing of ambulances was heard in Mazzeh, where witnesses said many people were injured.

The rebels on the outskirts of Damascus have repeatedly launched similar attacks, in a bid to destabilize the capital.

A day earlier, rebels shelled on government-controlled districts in Syria's northern city of Aleppo, killing 34 people, including 12 children and five women, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which tracks the Syrian war.

The Britain-based watchdog group said the rebels in Aleppo fired at least 300 mortar shells, rockets and manipulated gas cylinders into the government-controlled part of Aleppo.

Syria's Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi slammed the firing as an act of terrorism, which he said is supported by the Turkish government, one of the main backers of the militant groups in Syria.

Aleppo, Syria's second largest city and once an economic hub, has become carved out between the rebels and the government troops.

The fresh rebel attack in Aleppo and Damascus came as the UN envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has embarked on a three-day visit to the war-torn country to discuss ways of ending the conflict politically. Endit