Syria's state-media says two mortar shells fired by armed groups have struck a sport complex in the central Damascus district of Baramkeh. One football player was killed and several others were injured.

Football player said, "My friend Youssef and I were in this hotel room when the mortar fell. The explosion blew out the windows. Youssef was hit in the neck by glass pieces. We sent him to the hospital immediately, but it was too late."

State media said the 19-year-old victim was striker Youssef Suleiman, from a soccer club based in Homs. The players were in Damascus for training. After the attack, the remaining players were sent to other places for safety.

The violence has moved closer to the heart of Syrian President Bashar al Assad’s seat of power and into areas of the capital once considered safe. The mortar attack was the second in as many days in Damascus. On Tuesday, two mortars exploded near one of Assad’s palaces, but no one was hurt.