SANA: ‘Terrorists’ Kidnapped Syrians in Homs Region

Armed "terrorists" kidnapped on Tuesday a group of Syrians travelling in two taxis on the road to Qusayr in the central province of Homs, the state news agency SANA reported.

"An armed terrorist group seized two collective taxis which were travelling on the Qusayr road," SANA said, saying an unspecified number of passengers were abducted.

"Terrorists intercepted the vehicles near the village of Salhiyeh and forced the passengers out of the cars," the agency said, adding that the gunmen fled with their captives towards the village of Jousiyeh.

The U.N. observer mission in Syria to monitor a putative truce voiced concern on Monday over the escalation of violence in and around the city of Homs, after the city was pounded with heavy artillery and shells.