Despite ceasefire, mortar shells hit Damascus

The Syrian army said on Saturday that armed rebels in the eastern countryside of the capital Damascus fired several mortar shells into areas inside the capital, the state news agency SANA reported, just hours after a ceasefire 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 put 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 is largely held by the so-called Islam Army. Some pockets there are controlled by the Al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, which is excluded from the cease fire plan.

Along with the Islamic State 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 in the area.

The ceasefire went into effect midnight Friday, as part of an agreement between Russia and the US.

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.