Sabotage halts Syria gas pipeline in latest attack on energy sector

An explosion on an eastern gas pipeline in Syria caused a halt to gas flow to power stations on Tuesday, authorities confirmed. The incident occurred due to the explosion of a sectional valve, which was a result of sabotage, according to the official SANA news agency. A fire broke out in the pipeline between the Al-Shoula area and Deir ez-Zor, halting gas flow from the Al-Jabsah plant to power stations.

The perpetrator behind the sabotage remains unidentified. Deir ez-Zor province, in eastern Syria, which houses the country's principal oil and gas fields, has endured ongoing attacks since the defeat of the so-called Islamic State group in 2019. These terrorist group remnant elements frequently target energy infrastructure in the region as part of their strategy to undermine Damascus' efforts to secure its energy logistics.

A gas pipeline at the same facility faced deliberate sabotage on August 18, as reported by Syrian authorities. Across the country, Syrians have been expressing discontent over increasing fuel prices, attributing the rise to the ongoing war against Iran. Earlier this month, people across Syria took to the streets to protest the price hike.

Prior to the 2011-2024 war that devastated Syria's infrastructure, the nation produced 30 million cubic meters of gas daily for electricity generation, as stated by Energy Minister Mohammad al-Bashir. Currently, production has dwindled to 8.5 million cubic meters, while demand fluctuates between 22 and 25 million cubic meters, according to al-Bashir.

In June, Damascus signed an agreement with US oil giant ConocoPhillips to develop the country's gas sector as the new authorities strive to attract investment to aid post-war reconstruction. The Al-Jabsah facility, one of Syria's primary gas processing plants, is situated in an area that returned to the central government's full control earlier this year.