Explosion shuts down Iran-Turkey natural gas pipeline

Saboteurs attacked a pipeline carrying natural gas from Iran to Turkey in Turkey’s eastern province of Agri late on Monday, halting the flow, Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz and state gas company Botas said.

No one has immediately claimed responsibility for the blast but local media reported that the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) is behind the attack.

Yildiz said that the fire was soon brought under control by firefighting teams.

“The explosion caused a fire breakout; however, in a short time we managed to extinguish it. After repairing it, the gas flow will resume”, Yıldız said.

Recognized as a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union, the PKK, which usually perpetrates ambush attacks on military and civilian targets in Turkey, is also known for its attacks on oil and gas pipelines.

It is reported that a blaze at the pipeline was shortly extinguished and that natural gas will flow again after repairs. “Turkish citizens and industrialists should be at ease”, he added.

Turkey last week launched raids against Kurdish rebel bases in northern Iraq, at the same time that it began cracking down on the Islamic State group as well.

The Botas official said Turkey had not requested additional gas from other countries as a result of the explosion as there was no shortage in meeting domestic demand.

Late Monday, a paramilitary police commander was shot dead in the Kurdish part of eastern Turkey, and it was suspected that the PKK was behind the attack, though no group took responsibility. On Sunday, the PKK’s military wing claimed the killing of two Turkish soldiers in a vehicle bombing in Diyarbakir province.