DAMASCUS: An explosion on the Arab Gas Pipeline caused a power blackout in Syria and initial indications point to an attack, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Ghanem told state-run television on Monday. The US is still looking into the explosion but the incident appears to bear the hallmarks of Islamic State, US Syria envoy James Jeffrey said.
Ikhbariya TV channel showed footage of a large fire following the explosion, which officials told state media occurred between the Syrian towns of Ad Dumayr and Adra, northwest of Damascus. “Initial indications are this was a terrorist attack,” Ghanem told Ikhbariya, adding 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 power had gradually started being restored to the country’s provinces. In 2013, much of Syria was hit by a power cut after rebel shelling hit a gas pipeline during the country’s civil war. The Arab Gas Pipeline system extends from Egypt into Jordan and Syria.