Oil-Laden Tankers Arrive in Power-Starved Syria

Two tankers carrying crude oil and gasoline have arrived in Baniyas, Syria, to alleviate ongoing power shortages. The country is experiencing daily state electricity restrictions due to damaged infrastructure. The interim government aims to boost supply through imports and floating power barges.

Two tankers, one loaded with 100,000 metric tons of crude oil and the other with 5,600 tons of gasoline, have docked at the Syrian port of Baniyas, according to the Syrian state news agency SANA.

Syria is grappling with significant power shortages, where state-provided electricity is limited to just a few hours daily in most regions. The country's electricity grid has sustained severe damage, further complicating efforts to increase power generation or distribution. Previously, Syria relied heavily on Iranian oil supplies for power generation. However, these supplies have ceased since Bashar al-Assad, an ally of Tehran, was ousted in December by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

The interim government has vowed to enhance the electricity supply swiftly, partly by importing power from Jordan and deploying floating power barges, which are still pending arrival. The agency did not specify the origin of the shipped tonnage, leaving some questions unanswered.

(With inputs from agencies.)