Syria's state media and an activist group say several mortar shells struck the capital of Damascus and its suburbs Thursday, April 3, killing at least six people, the Associated Press reports.

State TV said the deadliest among the attacks occurred in the suburb of Harasta, where six children were killed and eight were wounded.

State-run news agency SANA reported five people were wounded when a mortar shell struck the upscale central neighborhood of Maliki.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said shells also struck central Damascus, including the Ummayad Square, which close to the TV and radio stations as well as the army command.

It said there were no casualties in the square. Also, activists said there are heavy clashes underway and air raids in the Damascus suburb of Mleiha, according to the AP.