A large explosion has shaken central Damascus, near the headquarters of the ruling Baath party and the Russian Embassy.

State TV reported the blast in the Syrian capital, calling it a "terrorist" attack and saying there were casualties.

Ambulances rushed to the scene of the explosion, which also shattered windows and sent up a huge cloud of smoke visible throughout much of the city.

Reports said the blast was cuased by a car bomb at a security checkpoint in the central Mazraa neighbourhood.

The wounded reportedly included four children.

They Syrian capital has so far mostly avoided the large-scale violence that has destroyed other Syrian cities, although deadly car bombings have targeted government buildings before.