kaboom!in the southern Syrian town of Noa on Wednesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said.
Opposition activists told the Observatory the minibus drove over a mine planted by forces loyal to
Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneckal-Assad
The Scourge of Hama...
. There was no immediate comment from the government.
The kaboom was reported in rebel-held territory in Deraa province but there are also army troops in the nearby base of Tel al-Jumaa, which is besieged.
Assad's forces are battling an uprising that grew out of protests against his family's four-decade grip on the country.
Violence has continued in recent days despite pleas from Arab and Mohammedan organizations for a ceasefire to mark the Mohammedan festival of Eid al Adha.
The British-based Observatory, which is opposed to Assad, reported festivities in most provinces on Wednesday and said war planes had been deployed to the eastern desert city of Deir al-Zor.
The group said at least 27 government soldiers had been killed during intense festivities in Deir al-Zor over the past two days although rebels gave a figure more than double that.