At least four explosions struck government-held areas of Syria on Monday, killing several people and injuring dozens more, state media and a monitor reported.

The cities of Tartous, Homs and Hassakeh and in the suburbs of capital Damascus were believed to have been targeted.

Two blasts at the Arzouna bridge area of the northwestern coastal city of Tartous killed at least 11 people and wounded 45 more, state news agency SANA said. It is understood the second bomb exploded as rescue workers came to the scene.

There were also reports that two officers were killed at an army checkpoint in Homs, where a car bomb exploded.

State television also reported an explosion along the al-Sobura/al-Bija road outside Damascus.