Syria Grapples with Regional Fallout: Energy Crisis, Border Congestion

Alanbatnews -

Syria is facing a cascade of challenges, including a worsening energy crisis and congested borders, as regional tensions escalate.

The Syrian Ministry of Energy reported that reduced natural gas supplies via Jordan have led to significant power outages. The ministry attributed the disruption to the ongoing regional escalation, which has temporarily halted gas flow as per previous agreements.

Technical teams are managing the electrical grid by relying on available domestic gas production, according to the ministry. They are also working to boost local gas output to stabilize the network and improve electricity supply in the coming period. This disruption follows a period of relative improvement in living conditions in Syria.

Jordan has temporarily suspended gas supplies to Syria, prioritizing its domestic market amid the regional tensions, according to the platform, “Al-Taqa” which cited unnamed sources. Syria relies partly on gas from Jordan to support its power generation, given its weakened domestic production and infrastructure.

Earlier this year, Syria began receiving natural gas via Jordan for electricity generation, averaging four million cubic meters daily, as part of an agreement to purchase gas through the Arab Gas Pipeline. An agreement was signed with Jordan to supply Syria with approximately 140 million cubic feet per day to address the electricity crisis.

Adding to the challenges, one of the transformers at the Al-Otaiba Industrial conversion station in rural Damascus was damaged by debris from a missile resulting from the exchange of fire between Israel and Iran, according to Damascus.

Heightened caution prevails in rural Damascus and southern Syrian provinces due to falling missile debris, which has caused civilian injuries over the past two days. Schools have been closed in the Daraa governorate, with residents urged to avoid gatherings and stay away from unfamiliar objects. Syrian Civil Defense teams responded to incidents involving falling military objects in the village of al-Fatih in the Ain al-Sharqiyah area of rural Jableh on the Syrian coast. The Ministry of Emergency Situations attributed these incidents to the ongoing regional events, urging citizens to adhere to safety guidelines.

Amid the escalating tensions, Israel continues its violations of Syrian territory. Israeli forces arrested a shepherd west of the village of Kudna in the southern Quneitra countryside, according to SANA. The individual was taken into occupied territory, with no further information available.

The Syrian-Lebanese border crossings are witnessing heavy traffic as Syrians leave Lebanon, with the expansion of the escalation and the targeting of Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hundreds of Syrians crossed from Lebanon into Damascus via the al-Masnaa-Jdeidet Yabous crossing, according to the travel company, “Tarhal Travel”. Sources from travelers confirmed congestion in the border area, with trucks facing delays due to a prior Syrian government decision restricting entry for non-Syrian trucks. This decision has led to a crisis in freight traffic to and from Jordan, which has been exacerbated by the rising tensions.

The Damascus Chamber of Commerce has warned that continued disruption of freight flow, amid escalating regional tensions, will increase pressure on crossings, threaten supply chains, raise costs for traders and carriers, and expose trade to incalculable risks. The Chamber urged the Syrian and Jordanian governments to take temporary measures to ensure smooth traffic flow, emphasizing that the current circumstances require quick and responsible decisions to protect the national economies of both countries.