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// DOSSIER — syria-power-grid-crippled-gas-pipeline-explosions
Syria Power Grid Crippled After Back-to-Back Gas Pipeline Explosions Near Damascus and Deir ez-Zor
REL_TIME: 03 Oct 2026 09:12Z · LANG: EN
On September 30, 2026, a major gas pipeline explosion occurred at a pressure-reduction station near the Tishreen thermal power plant in Eastern Ghouta, near Damascus. The blast injured two people and forced three critical power plants—Tishreen, Deir Ali, and Nasiriyah—offline, severely reducing Syria's electricity generation capacity and forcing extended power rationing. This incident followed a confirmed act of sabotage just two days earlier on September 28, which targeted a pipeline valve between Al-Shoula and Deir ez-Zor, halting gas flow from the Jbessa plant. While the eastern pipeline blast was verified as sabotage, Syrian authorities are still investigating whether the Damascus-area explosion was caused by a technical failure, an attack, or sabotage. Technical teams have begun repressurizing the Arab Gas Pipeline to gradually restore power.
// Background
Syria's energy infrastructure has been severely degraded by the civil war spanning 2011 to 2024. According to Energy Minister Mohammad al-Bashir, Syria's current gas production for electricity generation is only 8.5 million cubic meters per day, compared to 30 million cubic meters per day before the conflict, leaving a massive deficit against the country's domestic needs of 22 to 25 million cubic meters. The recent pipeline incidents also coincide with public protests over rising fuel prices, which Syrian authorities have linked to the regional conflict involving Iran.
// Key Developments
- A gas pipeline explosion near Damascus on September 30, 2026, knocked the Tishreen, Deir Ali, and Nasiriyah power plants offline.
- The blast occurred at a pressure-reduction station near Damascus International Airport, injuring two people and triggering a massive fire.
- Syrian authorities have begun repressurizing the Arab Gas Pipeline between Adra and Deir Ali to gradually restore electricity generation.
- The incident occurred just two days after a confirmed sabotage attack on a pipeline between Al-Shoula and Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria.
- Syria's domestic gas production stands at 8.5 million cubic meters per day, far below its daily demand of 22–25 million cubic meters.
// Timeline
-
An act of sabotage targets a sectional valve on a gas pipeline between Al-Shoula and Deir ez-Zor, halting gas flow from the Jbessa plant.
-
A massive explosion strikes a gas pipeline at a pressure-reduction station near the Tishreen power plant in Eastern Ghouta, injuring two people and causing a major fire.
-
The Syrian Electricity Company announces that the Tishreen, Deir Ali, and Nasiriyah power plants are offline, warning of extended power rationing.
-
Civil Defense teams control the Tishreen fire, and the Energy Ministry begins repressurizing the Arab Gas Pipeline between Adra and Deir Ali to gradually restore power.
// Perspectives
[Syrian Ministry of Energy]
Focused on gradually restoring power by repressurizing the Arab Gas Pipeline while withholding judgment on the cause of the Damascus blast until technical inspections are complete.
[Syrian Electricity Company]
Warning the public of reduced power generation capacity and temporarily extended electricity rationing hours across the affected regions.
// Quotes
“The relevant specialized teams will conduct an on-site inspection after cooling operations are completed to determine the causes and circumstances precisely.”
“A fire broke out Monday evening in a gas pipeline between the Al-Shoula area and Deir Ezzor due to the explosion of a sectional valve caused by sabotage.”
