The Islamic State is claiming responsibility for a series of deadly bombings which have ripped through the Syrian city of Homs and the capital Damascus.

At least 150 people are dead.

Local media source says around 60 were killed in the central city of Homs.

This is the sect of Islam which the Syrian leadership hails from.

At the same time, the Islamic State is also taking credit for an attack in a Shiite district in the southern part of Damascus.

A car bombing was followed by a pair of suicide bombers launching their own attacks.

Over 80 people have been killed in that attack.

The attacks come as the international community continues to discuss ways to implement a ceasefire in Syria, which was meant to take effect on Friday after initial agreements were made.

However, there are still discussions underway about how to bring the fighting to an end.

The nearly 5-year conflict in Syria has left over 260-thousand dead, and millions others displaced.