A "terrorist" explosion rocked a pro-government suburb east of the Syrian capital of Damascus Saturday morning, leaving an unknown number of casualties, the state-run SANA news agency reported.

The blast targeted the suburb of Jaramana from the adjacent Mlaiha suburb, SANA said, spelling no further details.

Meanwhile, another local media report said the blast was from a booby-trapped car that ripped through a checkpoint in that area, adding that three mortar shells landed on Jaramana after the blast and caused material losses.

The report also said that intense clashes are currently ongoing between the rebels and the government troops near the boundary of Jaramana, which is a pro-government suburb inhabited by Druze and Christians, and the Mlaiha suburb, which has emerged as a key rebel stronghold.

Mortars and explosive-laden cars have hit Jaramana several times in the past few months, killing tens of people, wounding many more and destroying homes and shops.