Mystery gas pipeline explosions in eastern Syria raise questions about sabotage, theft and regional stability
A series of explosions and fires targeting Syria’s gas infrastructure over six weeks has disrupted power generation, with officials divided on whether the cause is sabotage or botched theft by criminals stealing fuel.
The latest incident on Sept. 28 involved a fire on a gas pipeline between al-Shola and Deir Ezzor after an explosion at an isolation valve, halting gas flows from the Jbeissa plant to power stations.
Hisham al-Saleh of the Syrian Petroleum Company attributed the explosion to thieves breaking into the pipeline, stating “the theft had gone wrong.” Meanwhile, the SANA news agency described it as an act of sabotage.
Syria’s gas production has dropped to seven million cubic meters per day from 22 million in 2010, and oil production fell to 112,000 barrels per day from 350,000 in 2020.
Deir Ezzor province – a key gas production hub – faces instability with rising discontent, demonstrations over prices and services, and ongoing threats from Islamic State sleeper cells.
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