At least seven Syrian security personnel were killed when a drone attack struck a graduation ceremony in a military academy in central Syria, a monitoring group said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 20 others were wounded when a violent blast hit the area by the military academy in Homs.

“Armed terrorist organizations supported by well-known international parties this afternoon targeted the graduation ceremony of military college officer students in Homs with drones carrying explosive ammunition immediately after the ceremony ended,” the Syrian command said in a statement.

It added that the attack resulted “in the death of a number of martyrs, both civilians and military personnel.”

It added that dozens of people were injured, among them women and children who were attending the ceremony.

State media said there were a lot of casualties, but did not specify the numbers.

The Observatory said the graduation was also attended by Syrian army officials and the Syrian defence minister. (dpa/NAN)