Syrian pipeline blast deliberate sabotage, US suspects IS

Key facts

• An explosion occurred at a gas export pipeline at Syria's Al-Jabsah gas plant.
• Syria's petroleum company described the incident as a 'deliberate act of sabotage'.
• The blast caused a total blackout across Syria.
• Power restoration efforts were underway.
• The U.S. envoy for Syria indicated suspicion of Islamic State militants.
• No workers were reported injured.

Syria's petroleum company announced that an explosion at a gas export pipeline at the Al-Jabsah gas plant was the result of a deliberate act of sabotage. The incident, which occurred on the Arab Gas Pipeline between Ad Dumayr and Adra, northwest of Damascus, caused a widespread blackout across the country. Power restoration efforts were underway, with some residents reporting that electricity had returned to Damascus.