Syria: Blast hits Homs pipeline, Hama ‘under attack’
Syrian army tanks are seen stationed at the entrance to Baba Amr neighborhood in Homs on February 13, 2012. Syria ignored a new Arab initiative to end the bloodshed, with its troops pounding the protest hub of Homs as Russia said a ceasefire is needed before peacekeepers can be deployed. -/AFP PHOTO
Activists in Syria say an explosion has hit an oil pipeline in the central city of Homs, which has been bombarded by security forces for the past 12 days, the Associated Press reported.
The pipeline, in the rebel-held neighborhood of Baba Amr, was attacked this morning, with the blast setting off a huge blaze.
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Syrian state media said "armed terrorists" were behind the explosion, the BBC reported, citing an activist group who said the government’s own fighter jets had blown up the pipeline.
Opposition forces say that more than 400 people have died in Homs since February 5.
Meanwhile activists said security forces this morning launched an offensive in Syria’s fourth city of Hama, Al Jazeera reported.
Tanks were said to be deployed near the citadel of Hama, and were shelling the neighborhoods of Faraya, Olailat, Bashoura and al-Hamidiya.
Several media reported casualties resulting from rocket and mortar fire, but figures were not immediately known due to cuts to telecommunications.
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The French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said this morning the United Nations should consider setting up "humanitarian corridors" to get aid to Syrians caught in the violence.
Speaking on France Info radio, Juppe said the passage of NGOs to zones where massacres are taking place should be discussed at the Security Council.
The UN General Assembly will vote Thursday on a new resolution calling on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to put a stop to attacks on civilians.