Sabotage Halts Gas Pipeline
An explosion struck the gas export pipeline at the al-Jabsah gas plant in rural Hasakah, in northeastern Syria, at about 4 a.m. on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, halting the flow of gas along the line. The state Syrian Petroleum Company said preliminary investigations, carried out after the site was inspected immediately following the blast, indicated the explosion was the result of a deliberate act of sabotage.
No workers were injured. The company said the wells feeding the line were isolated, safety valves were closed and the site was secured after the incident.
Power Turbines Affected
The interruption cut gas supplies to several power-generation turbines that depend on the line, disrupting electricity generation. The company said it was coordinating with the Syrian Electricity Company to compensate for the shortfall through available alternatives while repairs were under way.
With the line carrying gas used to generate electricity, its outage placed immediate pressure on a power supply that authorities are working to keep stable. The company said it was drawing on available alternatives to hold the shortfall in check until the export line could be brought back online.
Line Back in Service
On Wednesday, 19 August 2026, the company announced that the targeted line had been repaired and returned to service. Chief Executive Youssef Qablaw said returning the line "contributes to strengthening the gas supplies needed to feed electrical power generation stations and enhancing the stability of the energy system."
Qablaw thanked the plant's crews, who he said completed the repair "despite difficult circumstances and dangerous working conditions."
Tighter Infrastructure Security
Following the attack, authorities said they had begun implementing additional measures to strengthen the protection of the country's oil and gas installations and pipelines. The company said those responsible for the blast were being pursued.
The speed of the restoration reflected how closely the electricity network depends on steady gas feedstock, and why securing the installations was treated as urgent.