Mexican rebels warn they will continue attacks

MEXICO CITY - A Mexican rebel group that claimed responsibility for several gas pipeline bombings in 2007 said it will continue carrying out attacks but will issue warnings ahead of time to avoid casualties.

The Revolutionary People's Army, or EPR, said Tuesday in a communique its attacks are against the government and not the Mexican people.

"The government will know about our actions so that the loss of human lives can be avoided and if there are any (deaths) then it will be the government's responsibility," it said.

Last year, EPR claimed responsibility for blasts at more than a half-dozen oil and natural gas ducts to demand the release of its members allegedly being held by the government.

The government denies it ever held or detained the two men.

The EPR emerged June 28, 1996, on the first anniversary of the killing of 17 leftist farm workers by police at Aguas Blancas in the southern state Guerrero.

It had carried out sporadic attacks, mostly against police stations in Guerrero and nearby Oaxaca state, until last year when it attacked the fuel pipelines, shutting down factories throughout Mexico.