Armed groups blasted Thursday an oil pipeline in Syria's eastern province of Deir al-Zour, the state TV said.

The pipe was blasted at al-Mraieh countryside of Deir al-Zour, the TV said, giving no further details.

Meanwhile, the pro-government Sham FM radio said scores of armed men were killed during clashes with the Syrian troops in Deir al-Zour on Thursday.

Dozens of oil pipelines have been either blasted or sabotaged during Syria's 19-month-old crisis, with both conflicting parties exchanging accusations for the deteriorating situation.

Syrian officials said the damage befalling the energy sector are estimated at millions of U.S. dollars.?