Syria Says 'Terrorists' Attack Pipeline in Homs

A "terrorist group" blew up an oil pipeline on Monday in the Syrian protest hub of Homs, the official SANA news agency reported.

"An armed terrorist group launched a sabotage attack on an oil transport pipeline in the al-Sultanieh area near Jober in the Baba Amro neighborhood of Homs, triggering a fire," the agency said.

It said the attack was the latest to target Syrian oil and gas pipelines in recent weeks.

Last week the agency reported similar attacks on an oil pipeline in the central province of the same name and another between Homs and the coastal city of Banias.

SANA also said that a gas pipeline was hit on Sunday near Talbisseh in Homs, causing massive leaks.

Syria produces 380,000 barrels of oil per day, according to official figures.

Syrian cities have been subjected to daily power outages for several weeks, which the authorities blame on "armed terrorist groups." The opposition says the regime imposes the cuts to punish protest hubs.

The latest pipeline attack comes as activists reported at least 25 more deaths across Syria, including more than 17 civilians killed and dozens wounded in a renewed bombardment of Homs by regime forces.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the death toll was likely to rise because many of the wounded had suffered critical injuries.

The shelling of Homs, which began at dawn, was mainly targeting the Khaldiyeh, Baba Amro, Inshaat and Bab Sbaa districts, the Observatory said.