Just now, a massive explosion in Syria! | Earth Knowledge Zone

(⊙_⊙) One global article on humanities and geography every day WeChat Official Account: Earth Knowledge Zone NO.1606 — This Time, It’s Syria Mapmaking: Sun Lü / Proofreading: Maosi Tu / Editing: Yang Le Duo According to Syria’s state television, a powerful explosion occurred early on August 24 (local time) along the Arab Gas Pipeline—located between Dumayr and Adra, east of the capital Damascus—triggering a chain reaction that caused brief nationwide power outages. Damascus and Dumayr (Photo: Syria TV / YouTube) ▼ Surprisingly, this marks the sixth attack on the same section of the pipeline. So why is this particular pipeline so special—targeted six times with pinpoint accuracy—and capable of disrupting Syria’s entire electricity supply system single-handedly? How does this man-made disaster, comparable in scale to the Beirut explosion in Lebanon, relate to Syria’s current situation? Boom! (Photo: Syria TV / YouTube) ▼ Syria’s Energy Politics Unlike the Beirut explosion—which resulted from poor management—the massive gas pipeline explosion in Syria was entirely caused by terrorist attacks. A Syrian government spokesperson stated that the blast was an organized, premeditated act carried out by ISIS terrorists who, though severely weakened, remain active. The Arab Gas Pipeline became a repeated target precisely because of Syria’s unique energy-political landscape. Some people may have gradually forgotten about them, but in reality, ISIS has not been completely eradicated ▼ Situated in the Fertile Crescent, Syria is the only oil-producing country on the eastern Mediterranean coast. Yet its oil and natural gas reserves are comparatively modest relative to the broader Middle East. Syria’s significance in regional energy geopolitics stems not from its own resources, but from its central geographic position—energy transit routes must pass through the country. Although the Mediterranean’s hydrocarbon reserves pale beside those of the Persian Gulf, Europe remains the primary energy consumer, and Syria serves as a critical land-based transit hub for Gulf energy flowing westward ▼ In 2009, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad proposed the “Four Seas Strategy,” calling on Syria, Turkey, Iraq, and Iran to jointly build an energy hub linking the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Caspian Sea, and Persian Gulf—aiming to elevate Syria’s regional standing and secure energy transportation. If these four countries united closely, cooperating to expand East-to-West gas exports, all would benefit. For Europeans, it would also provide a stable alternative energy supply ▼ However, the outbreak of the Syrian civil war steered this strategy in another direction. Iraq’s instability and Turkey’s support for Syrian opposition forces ultimately led—in July 2011—to the signing of the Islamic Pipeline Agreement, replacing President Assad’s original vision. This agreement stipulated joint construction by Iran, Iraq, and Syria of a 3,100-mile pipeline to rapidly deliver Iranian natural gas to European markets. Though this plan further elevated Syria’s strategic importance, it inevitably intensified the Syrian crisis. Since Turkey itself is not an oil or gas exporter, being excluded from this trade route naturally left it dissatisfied ▼ Excluded from the deal, Turkey escalated its support for Syrian opposition groups and even launched direct military operations in northwestern Syria—thus becoming a country that intervened directly in the Syrian civil war over competing energy interests.

The EU states the Nord Stream gas pipeline explosion was deliberate sabotage—what information deserves attention?

On September 26, 2022, seismic monitoring stations operated by Sweden and Denmark recorded powerful underwater explosions near the Nord Stream gas pipeline leak sites. Sweden’s National Seismological Network detected two distinct explosions in the area—one registering magnitude 2.3. Three separate explosions occurred within a single day on both the Nord Stream-1 and Nord Stream-2 pipelines, causing major leaks. These pipelines constitute Europe’s largest civilian energy infrastructure investment. On November 18, Swedish prosecutors announced progress in their investigation, confirming the Nord Stream pipeline explosions were acts of ‘deliberate sabotage.’ They stated technical analysis revealed traces of explosives on several recovered items. The Nord Stream-1 pipeline section at the leak site was missing a segment at least 50 meters long; the remaining metal pipe wall also showed deformation. Submersible footage was captured at approximately 80 meters below sea level. Only an extremely powerful force could cause such deformation in the pipeline’s exceptionally thick metal walls. The seabed surrounding the pipeline also sustained massive shock damage. Investigators discovered traces of explosives at the damaged Nord Stream pipeline site—evidence confirming intentional sabotage. One month after the explosion, Gazprom was granted permission to participate in the on-site investigation. Russian experts identified two craters measuring 3 meters and 5 meters deep, respectively, and confirmed a 40-meter-long pipeline segment had been torn away—findings consistent with Sweden’s published investigative results. At the end of October, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed British specialists had participated in attacks targeting both the Nord Stream pipelines and Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. Media reports alleged that former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss sent U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken a text message one minute after the explosion: ‘Mission accomplished.’ On December 23, retired Turkish Navy Rear Admiral Kutlu Kürkçü stated the investigation remained inconclusive, adding: ‘Whoever benefits from the incident is most likely the mastermind behind it.’

Syria Says Gas Pipeline Fire Between Al-Shola and Deir Al-Zour Caused by Sabotage

13 hours ago

Syria's state petroleum company attributed a gas pipeline explosion to sabotage, halting flows from the Jbeissa plant to power stations while crews worked to extinguish the blaze.

reuters

2026-09-28

Syria Says Gas Pipeline Fire Between Al-Shola and Deir Al-Zour Caused by Sabotage

Syria Says Gas Pipeline Fire Between Al-Shola and Deir Al-Zour Caused by Sabotage

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