Syria: Living conditions worsen after ISIS blew up a gas refinery

Syria: Living conditions worsen after ISIS blew up a gas refinery

ISIS blew up a gas refinery company near Homs yesterday, putting more pressure on the left functioning refineries in Syria and worsening the situation for the civilians as the winter became harsher.

ISIS blew up yesterday “Hayyan” Gas company in Hijaz region in the eastern countryside of Homs using tons of highly explosive material.

The ISIS official media wing released footage of their terrorists planting explosives inside the Hayyan Gas Company factory in eastern Homs, shortly before detonating the bombs on Sunday afternoon, local time.

The company, that was taken over by ISIS last month after a fierce attack on the eastern countryside of Homs, produces about 3.5 million cubic meters of gas, about 6 thousand barrels per day, and 180 thousand tons of gas for household usage.

The company is considered Syria’s biggest gas supplier and started working in 2011 at a cost estimated at 290 million euros.

With all of the imperative gas fields in eastern Homs under the Islamic State’s control, the Syrian government no longer has the reserves to provide millions of civilians in Damascus, Homs, and Hama much needed gas during these frigid Winter months.

The attack, which cut supplies to the capital Damascus and other areas, was grimly well timed with a cold snap set to sweep the country.

The electricity in Homs has been cut off since the explosion worsening the living conditions. The civilians depend on the electricity for heat as the fuel is expensive and rare.

The Syrian Meteorology Department said yesterday temperatures would fall four degrees below the winter average, going as low as 2°C, with snow forecast on high ground.

In Damascus, the problems are doubled. The water has been cut in Damascus sine 18 days because of the regime’s military operations in Wadi Barada valley, which is the source of drinking water of the city.

This attack leaves Assad regime a few choices.

It was initially believed that the military operation in Palmyra against ISIS would not begin until February or even March. However, reports say that the regime forces are going to accelerate the timing of this assault in their attempt to retrieve natural resources from ISIS and to absorb the growing dissatisfaction of the civilians.