Iran-Turkey gas conduit blown up

Earlier explosion of Iran-Turkey gas pipeline

Turkish rebels are suspected of exploding gas pipelines last night that carry natural gas from Iran to Turkey.

AFP reports that the explosion occurred several kilometres from Iran border in the east of Dogubayazit, in Agri province of Turkey and halted gas exports from Iran to Turkey.

Ali Yerlikaya, Governor of Agri referring to P.K.K. the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Organization said: “"The explosion is believed to have been carried out by members of the separatist terrorist organization."

Television coverage of the incident reveals the windows of the neighbouring homes were shattered by the blast and the pipes are burning in heavy flames.

Anatolia News Agency reports that Turkish forces are investigating the incident to find the perpetrators and Turkish officials have announced that the repair of the gas conduit will take about a week.

Earlier this month, an oil pipeline from Iraq to Turkey was blown up in the southeast of Turkey and P.K.K. is also suspected of those blasts.

P.K.K, which is listed as a terrorist group in many countries in addition to Turkey, has been in armed conflict with the Turkish government since 1984 and these conflicts have claimed thousands of lives.