26 Aug Power blackout in Syria following pipeline explosion
An explosion on the Arab Gas Pipeline has caused a power blackout in Syria and initial indications point to an attack, the energy minister told state-run television. Footage showed a large fire following the explosion, which officials told state media occurred between the Syrian towns of Ad Dumayr and Adra, northwest of the capital of Damascus.
“Initial indications are this was a terrorist attack,” said Ali Ghanem, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources,, adding that the pipeline feeds power stations in the south. He said technical teams were already on the ground.
The electricity minister was later quoted by state news agency SANA as saying that power had gradually started being restored to the country’s provinces.
During the country’s civil war in 2013, much of Syria was hit by a power cut after rebel shelling hit a gas pipeline.
The Arab Gas Pipeline system extends from Egypt into Jordan and Syria.