Suspect Arrested for Sabotaging and Stealing from Tartus Oil Pipeline
Authorities in Tartus Governorate have successfully apprehended an individual involved in the sabotage and theft of an oil pipeline. The targeted infrastructure runs through the New Tartus Cemetery, and the arrest is part of broader ongoing efforts to combat theft and vandalism of the country’s vital facilities.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Tartus Justice Department confirmed that its investigative division is actively pursuing legal proceedings to uncover all details regarding the incident. The department noted that the sabotage targeted a strategic oil transport line and confirmed that search and investigation operations are ongoing to locate and arrest other individuals who remain at large.
According to preliminary investigations, the suspect confessed to facilitating the illegal operation for a group of individuals. He acted as the coordinator, managing access to the cemetery site. The operation involved digging trenches to reach the pipeline, followed by the installation of specialized technical equipment and connections to siphon crude oil. The stolen fuel was then pumped into dedicated tankers, intended for smuggling and sale on the black market.
This incident is part of a recurring series of attacks on energy lines and national infrastructure, which has prompted authorities to intensify field operations. These campaigns aim to seize smuggled petroleum products, pursue those involved in their trafficking, and crack down on individuals tampering with transport lines. Such practices are reported in several public locations and are considered a significant threat to the security and integrity of national infrastructure.
Judicial and security authorities in Tartus have reaffirmed their commitment to completing the investigation to identify all members of the network and bring them to justice in accordance with the law. Officials also emphasized that security measures at strategic sites are being maintained to prevent a recurrence of such violations, which negatively impact the national economy and domestic fuel availability.
The security services in Tartus are continuing their search based on information and initial confessions provided by the detainee. This is intended to ensure the capture of all remaining members of the network that specialized in stealing crude oil from pipelines running through the governorate’s territory. Authorities stressed that coordination between the various relevant bodies remains in place to strengthen the protection of oil facilities and prevent any future attempts to compromise them.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
