JERUSALEM: Israel's military says a series of Syrian mortar shells have landed in the Israeli-held Golan Heights.

A military spokesman says the shells landed on Saturday afternoon in an open area, causing no damage. He says they were likely stray fire from the civil war.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with military policy.

He says Israeli troops were searching the area and were not immediately sure how many shells had landed. Israeli media reported at least three exploded in the area.

Stray fire from Syria's conflict has occasionally landed in Israeli-controlled territory and there are concerns the fighting could spill over the border.

Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Mideast war and annexed the territory, a move the international community doesn't recognize.