Pipeline Blast in Syria Knocks Three Power Plants Offline, Threatening Longer Blackouts

A gas pipeline explosion in Syria has forced three power plants offline and ignited a large fire, state-run news agency SANA reported, dealing another blow to the country's fragile electricity system.

The Syrian Electricity Company said Wednesday that the Deir Ali, al-Nasiriyah and Tishreen plants had been taken out of service after the blast in Eastern Ghouta, in the Damascus countryside, disrupted gas supplies. The fire was still burning, and authorities had not yet determined what caused the explosion.

Specialized teams were working to contain the situation and restore service, the company said. It warned that the shutdown would lengthen power rationing hours, with electricity supplies already running low.

The explosion is the latest disruption to hit Syria's gas network. Two earlier blasts occurred within the past six weeks, according to the Syrian Petroleum Company, which described both as acts of sabotage. No group or individual has claimed responsibility for any of the explosions.

The outage comes at a sensitive moment for households and businesses already struggling with fuel shortages and rising costs. Longer blackouts could affect water pumping, refrigeration and other daily needs, while adding pressure to an electricity grid worn down by years of conflict.

Public anger over energy prices has been mounting. Protests broke out across Syria two weeks ago after the government raised diesel prices by as much as 40 percent and gasoline prices by 28 percent.

Officials said the increases were temporary and blamed them on a sharp rise in global energy costs. Still, the latest pipeline blast is likely to intensify frustration, as many Syrians face the prospect of more hours without power.