Syria says Islamic State bomb set fire to government HQ in north

BEIRUT (Reuters) - A mortar round fired by Islamic State militants caused a major blaze at a Syrian government headquarters building in the northeastern city of Hasaka and firefighters had put it out, state television said on Friday. The ultra hardline jihadists hit a civilian ID and passport office building in Hasaka, where the army has fought off several major incursions in recent weeks. Earlier a Syrian army source said the militants had blown up a third explosive-laden car in the eastern part of the city. It said there were casualties and gave no further details. (Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Editing by Louise Ireland)