Fire follows explosion on Syria gas pipeline

A fire broke out after a 16-inch gas pipeline exploded near Shaddadi in northeastern Syria on October 15, the Syrian Petroleum Company said, adding that crews isolated the damaged section. The company did not specify what caused the explosion, and reports said no group had claimed responsibility. The blast occurred at 5:15 p.m. in the Arbidi area of Hasakah province, about 60 kilometers from Shaddadi, according to the company. Teams closed valves at the Jbessa gas plant and a gas station in the al-Bughailiya area to isolate the section. Firefighting and safety crews went to the site to secure the area. The company said domestic gas supplies would remain unaffected and that alternative arrangements would help keep power plants operating during repairs. Normal pumping was expected to resume by early the following week, according to a company update reported October 16. That timetable was an expectation, not confirmation that service had been restored. A separate incident on October 15 damaged the Baniyas-Homs pipeline, which carries oil products, and caused a gasoline leak near Hadida in western Homs countryside. The Syrian Petroleum Company said the damage was sabotage aimed at...