Syrian Minister of Electricity, Imad Khamis said on Thursday that Takfiri terrorists targeted the Arab gas pipeline in al-Baitariyeh area, in Damascus Countryside, which feeds Tishreen and Deir Ali electricity generation stations.

The attack caused blackout in some southern regions, he said.

In a statement, Khamis said the Ministry is working to continue electricity feeding to the rest areas and restore electricity situation to normal soon.

Syria’s Petroleum Minister Sleiman al-Abbas said the fire which broke out due to the blast was brought under control.

A similar bombing attack by militants near Damascus International Airport in October caused a nationwide power outage.

In July, the militants blew up gas and fuel pipelines that feed power stations in the country’s south and caused power cuts in the provinces of Dara’a, Sweida, Quneitra, Damascus and Rif Dimashq.

Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. Western powers and their regional allies - especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey - are supporting militants operating inside the country, reports say.

According to the United Nations, more than 120,000 people have been killed and millions displaced so far due to the turmoil in the country.

The UN also says more than four million other Syrians will be forced out of their homes in 2014 by the escalating conflict in the nation.

NTJ/SHI