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DAMASCUS, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Two mortar rounds struck near the Russian embassy in Damascus on Tuesday, just as supporters of Russia were gathering to hail Moscow's military intervention in Syria, an eyewitness told Xinhua.
It was not immediately clear if anyone was injured in the shelling.
"When we heard the mortar sound, some of us fled while others stayed," said the witness, who demanded anonymity. "The mortar attack triggered a stampede of people wanting to leave."
The mortars hit the area near the Russian mission while supporters of Russian airstrikes in Syria, with Russian flags and posters of President Vladimir Putin, were gathering, said the witness.
The rally, which apparently ended earlier than planned, was the first to take place in Damascus since the Russian air force started pounding the positions of jihadi groups in Syria almost two weeks ago.
Syrian officials have repeatedly praised the Russian intervention, saying "direct results" have been achieved.
Government forces have launched a broad offensive against rebel positions under the support of Russian air power.
