Syria: Drinking water pipe damaged in Aleppo

BEIRUT - The Associated Press

A Syrian man walks past a destroyed tank in the northern city of Aleppo on 3 August 2012. AFP Photo

Activists say a major pipe that supplies drinking water to parts of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo has been damaged.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the pipe was hit today in the Midan neighborhood during clashes between rebels and troops and as government warplanes bombed the area.

Activists say the damage leaves several parts of the city of 3 million without water.

There were conflicting reports on what cause the damage to the pipe.A Syrian official said it was an act of sabotage by anti-government gunmen. He did not elaborate and spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Aleppo-based activist Mohammed Saeed said the pipe was hit by a missile fired by a warplane.

Aleppo has witnessed almost daily clashes since July.