Damascus, Jan 23 (IANS) At least 32 people were killed Friday by multiple air raids against a rebel-held area in the Syrian capital of Damascus, according to UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The government warplanes carried out airstrikes against rebel positions in the town of Hammoreya in the eastern Damascus, killing at least 32 people, among them six children, Xinhua reported citing the Observatory.

The watchdog group, which relies on a network of activists on ground for information, said the toll was likely to rise due to the large number of critically wounded people.

The Syrian troops have been engaged in a long-running war against the rebels in the eastern rim of the capital.