Syria’s infrastructure -especially its energy sector – has been devastated by more than 13 years of conflict [Stringer/AFP via Getty]
Jordan is sending 500 tons of liquified petroleum gas to Syria every day, the CEO of the Jordan Petroleum Refinery Company Hassan Al-Hiyari announced on Wednesday.
He said the gas exports will last for 10 days, adding that Syria will continue to be supplied with liquefied gas in accordance with its needs and “in light of the circumstances Syria is going through,” according to media reports.
The decision comes after joint discussions between the two countries and Al-Hiyari told local media that the step is part of the kingdom’s plan to expand into new markets and increase its petroleum and gas exports.
Jordan, like many countries in the region, has established relations with Syria’s interim authorities – former rebels who ousted Bashar al-Assad in early December – and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi visited Damascus earlier this month.
Syria’s infrastructure has been battered by more than 13 years of conflict, which began after Assad’s forces brutally repressed peaceful protests in 2011.
Syria’s ongoing fuel crisis, exacerbated by harsh winter conditions, has left millions of people struggling with fuel shortages, rising heating costs, and severe disruptions to transportation.
The interim government has welcomed foreign investments and expressed readiness to cooperate with regional and international countries to rebuild. Reconstruction is expected to cost the war-torn nation hundreds of billions of dollars, but the country remains hampered by US and EU sanctions.
In late December, weeks after Assad was ousted, Turkey said it aims to provide electricity to Syria and strengthen its power infrastructure and may also work with Syria’s new leadership on oil and natural gas issues.
