人权活动人士说叙利亚霍姆斯袭击至少17人死

Syrian rights activists say at least 17 people have been killed and many more wounded in a new bombardment by Syrian forces on the flashpoint city of Homs. Arabic satellite television stations broadcast images from Homs Monday that showed smoke billowing into the sky from buildings damaged in the violence. The attacks occurred in several parts of Homs, where an oil pipeline also exploded. Syrian state television says "terrorist gangs" were behind the bombings. There was no independent confirmation of the casualties as Syria restricts independent reporting in the country. The violence comes several days after activists reported what they called a massacre in Homs, saying at least 200 people died in a government bombardment late Friday into Saturday, in what appeared to be one of the deadliest incidents of the 11-month revolt. Homs has become a focal point of opposition resistance to the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.