Oil pipeline blown up in Syria

Damascus, April 22 (IANS) An armed group blasted an oil pipeline in Syria's Deir al-Zour province, the state-run SANA news agency reported.

The attack was carried out Saturday on the pipeline belonging to the Furat Oil Company near Abu Hamam area in the oil-rich province, said Xinhua.

The report said the pipeline was full of oil when it was hit, which led to the leaking of around 2,000 barrels of oil.

Thought the blast caused a fire, the company said production was not affected. The fire was put out in a few hours.

The Syrian government blames the year-long crisis on armed groups working out a foreign conspiracy.

According to the UN, more than 9,000 people have so far been killed in the conflict, including 500 children.