Shells hit Syrian capital despite truce: State agency

Damascus: A number of shells hit residential neighbourhoods in the Syrian capital on Friday, the state news agency reported, hours after a ceasefire agreed by world powers began.

Citing a military source, SANA said "terrorist groups" fired shells from neighbourhoods east of Damascus, but it did not report any casualties.

It was the first reported attack on the capital since a ceasefire began at midnight.

A security source in the capital told AFP that there were no casualties when about 10 shells hit the Abbasiyeen neighbourhood.

A resident confirmed that shells had struck the district in the late morning.

Syria's armed forces issued a statement warning against "the consequences of such actions" and called on civilians to remain committed to "local reconciliation".

The army "calls on the residents of these neighbourhoods to put pressure on this terrorist minority so they do not end efforts to bring security and stability" to Syria, according to a statement carried by SANA.

It appeared to play down the attack, saying the army "was confident that most citizens are eager" to avoid an eruption in hostilities.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said it did not record any attacks on central Damascus today.

Tensions are high as rebels have also accused the government of intermittent "truce violations" in parts of the country today.

The ceasefire does not include jihadist groups.

More than 270,000 people have been killed in Syria's war, which will reach its five-year mark next month.