Activists: Shells hit oil pipeline in east Syria

[January 28, 2012]  BEIRUT (AP) -- Syrian opposition activists say an oil pipeline took a direct hit and caught fire as government troops shelled a town in the eastern oil-rich province of Deir el-Zour.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Coordination Committees say Saturday's shelling of the town of Qoriah killed at least one person.

The groups also reported intense clashes between troops and anti-regime army defectors in the central province of Homs and suburbs of the capital Damascus.

The Syrian uprising, which began last March with mostly peaceful protests, has become increasingly violent in recent months.

The United Nations estimates that more than 5,400 people have died in the turmoil.

[Associated Press; By BASSEM MROUE]

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