The Britain-based monitor said the deaths were in the Duwaylaa neighbourhood of Damascus, adding that most of those killed appeared to be civilians.
At least 20 people were also injured in the Friday shelling, the monitor said.
Rebels in strongholds on the outskirts of the capital regularly fire rockets into Damascus, often killing scores of people, many of them civilians.
The regime also regularly carries out air strikes on rebel-held areas around Damascus, particularly the Eastern Ghouta region, where aerial assaults in August alone killed 377 people, according to Doctors Without Borders.
The shelling on Damascus came as an Islamist rebel group that often fires on the capital began an assault on Syria's largest prison.
Jaish al-Islam began the attack on Adra prison near Damascus yesterday, seizing two buildings, according to the Observatory.
Syria's state news agency SANA made no mention of shelling or deaths in Duwaylaa, though it reported five people had been killed in rocket fire on several other Damascus neighbourhoods yesterday.
More than 240,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began with anti-government protests in March 2011.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
