Mortar round hits Iraq consulate in Damascus, one dead: diplomat

An Iraqi woman was killed on Thursday when a mortar round slammed into Iraq's consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus, a diplomat told AFP.

"A mortar round hit the waiting room of the Iraqi consulate, killed an Iraqi woman and injuring three others," the diplomat said, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity.

There was no immediate confirmation of the nationality of the three wounded in the attack that came at around noon in the northwest of the city.

Syrian rebels battling against the regime have established several rear posts in suburbs of the capital, from which they regularly fire mortar rounds and rockets into the city centre.

On Sunday, a mortar round hit the compound of the Russian embassy in the central Mazzeh district of Damascus, injuring three people.