UPDATE – Qatar to supply natural gas to Syria via Jordan

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS, REVISES HEADLINE

By Ahmed Asmar

ANKARA (AA) – Qatar announced an initiative on Thursday to supply natural gas to Syria through Jordan to help boost the country’s meager power supply.

The initiative aims to "contribute to generating electricity starting from 400 megawatts, with gradual increases by Qatar Development Fund," Syria’s state news agency SANA quoted Qatari Charge d’Affaires in Damascus Khalifa Abdullah Al Sharif as saying.

Syrian Electricity Minister Omar Shaqrouq said the Qatari grant will contribute to supporting Syria’s energy sector by providing two million cubic meters of natural gas daily.

“This contribution will generate an additional 400 megawatts of electricity, improving the power supply and increasing it by two to four hours per day,” he told SANA.

“This will positively impact citizens' daily lives and support vital sectors in the country,” he said.

Syria is suffering severe power shortages worsened by the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime, which the country's new administration is scrambling to address.

Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, 2024, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963.