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. He said the fire was quickly brought under control.
Advertisement
“The explosion caused a fire; however in a short time we managed to extinguish it. After repairing it, the gas flow will resume”, he said. He added that Turkey has not requested additional gas from other countries and there was no shortage in meeting the domestic demand.
According to a report by Reuters, an official from the country’s state pipeline operator Botas said it was not clear when the flow will resume.
“The commander was subjected to an armed attack around 2100 local time (1800 GMT)”, a Turkish hospital source said, adding that the policeman succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to hospital and that some members of his immediate family also sustained injuries in the attack. Iran, Russian Federation and Azerbaijan export about 10 billion cubic meters, 27 billion cubic meters and 6.6 billion cubic meters of gas per year to Turkey respectively. The separatist group has claimed or been blamed for a series of attacks in recent weeks. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Monday promised to press ahead with military operations against the PKK until the group disarmed.
Advertisement
On Monday, a gendarmerie officer in the eastern province of Mus died after being shot by suspected PKK militants. No one claimed responsibility for the assault, but suspicion fell on the PKK.
