A suicide car bomb attack near a military post in the central Syrian province of Hama killed at least 50 soldiers and pro-regime fighters on Monday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

"At least 50 government troops and loyalist militiamen were killed this morning in a car bomb explosion near a military post in the village of Ziyara" in Hama province, Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.

"The post, located at the Centre for Rural Development, is the largest gathering place for troops and pro-regime militiamen in the region," said the Observatory.

State news agency SANA confirmed a suicide bombing had taken place, but said it had killed two civilians and wounded 10 others.