Mortar shells hit Syrian capital despite cease-fire: army

The Syrian army said Saturday that the armed rebels in the eastern countryside of the capital Damascus fired several mortar shells against areas inside the capital, the state news agency SANA reported, just hours after a cease-fire went into effect.

The mortar shells were fired from the rebel-held suburbs of Jobar and Douma, the Syrian Army General Command said.

The Syrian army warned of the consequences of such attacks, urging the people inside these areas to embark on reconciliation with the government.

The statement also urged the people to practice pressure on the rebels, which, it said, "are trying to thwart any effort to restore peace and security to their areas."

The eastern countryside of the capital are largely held by the so-called Islam Army. Still, some pockets there are controlled by the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, which is excluded from the cease-fire plan.

Along with the Islamic State (IS) group, the Nusra Front is designated as a terrorist group by the UN.

Saturday's mortars landed in areas near the Abaseen Square, sources said, amid a state of calm prevailing the area.

Xinhua reporters visited the districts of Bab Touma, Qassa' and Abaseen, all three are around one kilometer from Jobar, noticing a normal daily life in those areas.

Despite the little breach by the mortars and the government response, the people in these districts have expressed relief over the largely clam situation.

The cease-fire went into effect midnight Friday, as part of an agreement between Russia and the U.S.

The Syrian government and as many as 90 rebel groups said they will abide by the truce. However, there was no clear map about the locations of the rebels who will be targeted. Endit